Formal to Superior
Workplace · Socializing
ご入院されたと伺いました。お加減はいかがですか。 — I heard you were hospitalized. How are you feeling? (Workplace · Socializing, Formal to Superior, JLPT N2)
You
ご入院されたと伺いました。お加減はいかがですか。
ごにゅういんされたとうかがいました。おかげんはいかがですか。
I heard you were hospitalized. How are you feeling?
Romaji: Gonyuuin sareta to ukagaimashita. Okagen wa ikaga desu ka. / Reply Romaji: Okizukai itadaki arigatou. Daibu yoku narimashita.
Reply
お気遣いいただきありがとう。だいぶ良くなりました。
おきづかいいただきありがとう。だいぶよくなりました。
Thank you for your concern. I am much better now.
Gesture & etiquette
Light bow at doorway, soft voice. Sit at eye level if invited to sit, or stand at a respectful distance from the bed. Hands clasped lightly. Do not pat the bed, do not sit on the bed. Keep visit short.
Hospital visits to a superior require utmost care. Avoid potted plants — the kanji 'rooting' (根付く) implies prolonged illness. Cyclamen (sounds like 'shi-ku' suggesting death/suffering), camellia (head falls off whole, ominous) and chrysanthemum (funeral flower) are all taboo. Bring fruit, magazines, or cut non-perfumed flowers. Visit ≤15 min, never raise work topics unless they do.