Casual — to friend
Cultural · Seasonal
短冊に何書いた？ — What did you write on your tanzaku? (Cultural · Seasonal, Casual — to friend, JLPT N5)
You
短冊に何書いた？
たんざくになにかいた？
What did you write on your tanzaku?
Romaji: Tanzaku ni nani kaita? / Reply Romaji: Naisho! Kanattara osowaru ne.
Reply
ないしょ！叶ったら教えるね。
ないしょ！かなったらおしえるね。
It's a secret! I'll tell you if it comes true.
Gesture & etiquette
Casual posture, playful tone. Look at the bamboo branch with tanzaku together as you ask. Smile widely — this is a light, joyful exchange. If they share their wish, react with genuine warmth, never tease the contents.
On Tanabata (July 7th), people write wishes on colorful paper strips (tanzaku) and hang them on bamboo branches. Asking what someone wished for is a fun, light social custom — often answered with 'naisho' (it's a secret) since revealing the wish supposedly prevents it from coming true. Common wishes: health, exam success, career, love, world peace.