かい and だい - age?


I often see claims that they are only used to people your own age or younger.
But is that true, or an exaggeration based on the fact that you'd use more
polite forms to someone older, usually? For example, could you use them
speaking to your parents, with whom you'd use the plain form anyway?




They would sound pretty funny talking with your parents. In fact, a lot of
Japanese people use ですます form with their parents.

There are a lot of regional dialects in Japan and that could influence their
usage (though as you surmise age tends to be the most significant factor), but
in this case I think they really _are_ uncommon with younger 関東 people. Maybe
なんだい...sometimes. そうかい... Hmm, yes, rare, even these cases is sort of like
imitation/acting more than actual self.




They would sound pretty funny talking with your parents. In fact, a lot of
Japanese people use ですます form with their parents.

There are a lot of regional dialects in Japan and that could influence their
usage (though as you surmise age tends to be the most significant factor), but
in this case I think they really _are_ uncommon with younger 関東 people. Maybe
なんだい...sometimes. そうかい... Hmm, yes, rare, even these cases is sort of like
imitation/acting more than actual self.

