Friendly to Senior
Care · Conversation
子供の頃のお小遣いって、いくらくらいいただいていたんですか？ — How much pocket money did you receive as a child? (Care · Conversation, Friendly to Senior, JLPT N3)
You
子供の頃のお小遣いって、いくらくらいいただいていたんですか？
こどものころのおこづかいって、いくらくらいいただいていたんですか？
How much pocket money did you receive as a child?
Romaji: Kodomo no koro no okozukai tte, ikura kurai itadaite ita n desu ka? / Reply Romaji: Tsuki ni juu-en ka nijuu-en ne. Kindai chocolate ga ichi-en datta wa.
Reply
月に十円か二十円ね。キャラメルが一円だったわ。
つきにじゅうえんかにじゅうえんね。キャラメルがいちえんだったわ。
10 or 20 yen a month. Caramels were 1 yen each.
Gesture & etiquette
Lean in with curious smile—you're an apprentice to economic history. If they describe buying treats, mime opening a small package or sipping ramune. Ask: 「何を買うのが楽しみでしたか？」 to unlock specific product memories.
Money memories reveal economic history. Pre-1970, monthly pocket money: 10-100 yen. With it: caramels (1 yen each), penny candies, manga magazines (50-100 yen by 1965). Asking about money + what was bought brings up the sensory pleasure of childhood treats—Glico caramel boxes, Morinaga chocolate, ramune soda from corner stores.