Friendly to Senior
Care · Conversation
ご家族に作っていらした得意なお料理って、何かありますか？ — Is there a special dish you used to make for your family? (Care · Conversation, Friendly to Senior, JLPT N4)
You
ご家族に作っていらした得意なお料理って、何かありますか？
ごかぞくにつくっていらしたとくいなおりょうりって、なにかありますか？
Is there a special dish you used to make for your family?
Romaji: Gokazoku ni tsukutte irashita tokui na oryouri tte, nanika arimasu ka? / Reply Romaji: A, ne. Yappari nimono ga toku'i datta nee. Musume mo yoku tabete kureta yo.
Reply
あ、ね。やっぱり煮物が得意だったねえ。娘もよく食べてくれたよ。
あ、ね。やっぱりにものがとくいだったねえ。むすめもよくたべてくれたよ。
Hmm, yes. Simmered dishes were my specialty. My daughter used to eat them with great appetite.
Gesture & etiquette
Sit comfortably nearby, warm interested expression. As they describe the dish, gently ask follow-ups: 'donna aji ni nasaimashita ka?' (how did you flavor it?). Mimic small actions if they describe technique. Genuine curiosity opens longer, richer stories.
Cooking memories are richly tied to identity and family love. Asking about a 'tokui' (specialty) dish honors their skill and invites pride. 'Tsukutte irashita' (made, honorific past) respects the labor of years of cooking. Responses often unlock memories of children's reactions, seasons, regional variations — invaluable conversation territory. If they offer to teach you the recipe, accept enthusiastically.