Friendly to Senior
Care · Conversation
お孫さんのことを聞かせてください。何人いらっしゃるんですか？ — Please tell me about your grandchildren. How many do you have? (Care · Conversation, Friendly to Senior, JLPT N4)
You
お孫さんのことを聞かせてください。何人いらっしゃるんですか？
おまごさんのことをきかせてください。なんにんいらっしゃるんですか？
Please tell me about your grandchildren. How many do you have?
Romaji: Omagosan no koto wo kikasete kudasai. Nannin irassharu n desu ka? / Reply Romaji: Sou ne, sannin iru no yo. Ichi ban shita wa mada chotto desu kedo.
Reply
そうね、3人いるの。一番下はまだちょっとですけど。
そうね、さんにんいるの。いちばんしたはまだちょっとですけど。
Let's see, I have three. The youngest is still quite small.
Gesture & etiquette
Lean in with genuine warmth and interest. When they begin to describe grandchildren, keep eye contact and react naturally: 'Kawaii desu ne!' (How adorable!) or 'Sou desu ka, hayai desu ne!' (Really! How quickly they grow!). If they have photos on their phone or nearby, invite them to share: 'Shashin wa arimasu ka?' (Do you have a photo?).
Grandchildren are one of the most beloved conversation topics for Japanese seniors — their faces visibly light up when asked. The phrase 'kikasete kudasai' (please tell me) is a warmer invitation than a simple question. If they share names or ages, remember them and mention them again in future conversations — 'Omagosan, ima gakkinen wa?' (What grade is your grandchild in now?) shows genuine care.