Friendly to Senior
Care · Conversation
昔よく作っていたお料理はありますか？得意な料理を教えていただけますか？ — Was there a dish you used to cook often? Could you tell me your specialty? (Care · Conversation, Friendly to Senior, JLPT N4)
You
昔よく作っていたお料理はありますか？得意な料理を教えていただけますか？
むかしよくつくっていたおりょうりはありますか？とくいなりょうりをおしえていただけますか？
Was there a dish you used to cook often? Could you tell me your specialty?
Romaji: Mukashi yoku tsukutte ita oryouri wa arimasu ka? Tokui na ryouri o oshiete itadakemasu ka? / Reply Romaji: Nabe ryouri ga tokui deshita yo. Fuyu ni naru to yoku tsukurimashita ne.
Reply
鍋料理が得意でしたよ。冬になるとよく作りましたね。
なべりょうりがとくいでしたよ。ふゆになるとよくつくりましたね。
I was good at hot pot dishes. I used to make them a lot in winter, you know.
Gesture & etiquette
Lean in with genuine interest and keep your hands still — fidgeting signals impatience. When the senior pauses to remember, nod slowly and say 'sou desu ne' (is that so) to keep the story flowing without pressure.
Food memories are among the most emotionally vivid and are often preserved even when other memories fade. Asking about past cooking skills positions the senior as a teacher and expert — one of the most powerful ways to restore dignity.