Friendly to Senior
Care · Conversation
お孫さんの運動会、見に行かれたんですか？どちらの種目で頑張られましたか？ — Did you go to watch your grandchild's sports day? Which event did they do their best in? (Care · Conversation, Friendly to Senior, JLPT N4)
You
お孫さんの運動会、見に行かれたんですか？どちらの種目で頑張られましたか？
おまごさんのうんどうかい、みにいかれたんですか？どちらのしゅもくでがんばられましたか？
Did you go to watch your grandchild's sports day? Which event did they do their best in?
Romaji: Omagosan no undoukai, mi ni ikareta n desu ka? Dochira no shumoku de ganbarareta deshou ka? / Reply Romaji: Hai, ikimashita yo. Riree de icchaku ni nattan desu.
Reply
はい、行きましたよ。リレーで一着になったんです。
はい、いきましたよ。リレーでいっちゃくになったんです。
Yes, I went. They came in first in the relay.
Gesture & etiquette
Lean in with genuine interest. If they pull out a photo or video, look at it attentively and comment on specifics ('what a smile!' 'they look so fast!'). React with shared delight at successes. Avoid checking time during the story — let them savor the memory.
Sports day (undoukai) is a major school event in Japan — autumn primarily — and grandparents often attend with great pride. Asking about specific events ('which shumoku?' = race, relay, dance) shows engaged curiosity rather than generic small talk. 'Ganbarareta' is the honorific past form, respectful for both the grandchild's effort and the senior's storytelling. Be ready to hear long, detailed accounts.