Friendly to Senior
Care · Conversation
若い頃、よく読まれた作家はどなたでしたか。 — Who were the authors you read often when you were younger? (Care · Conversation, Friendly to Senior, JLPT N4)
You
若い頃、よく読まれた作家はどなたでしたか。
わかいころ、よくよまれたさっかはどなたでしたか。
Who were the authors you read often when you were younger?
Romaji: Wakai koro, yoku yomareta sakka wa donata deshita ka. / Reply Romaji: Matsumoto Seichou wo yoku yonda mono desu yo. Shakai-ha suiri ga ne, suki de nee.
Reply
松本清張をよく読んだものですよ。社会派推理がね、好きでねえ。
まつもとせいちょうをよくよんだものですよ。しゃかいはすいりがね、すきでねえ。
I read a lot of Seicho Matsumoto. I liked his social-issue mysteries.
Gesture & etiquette
Sit at eye level, lean slightly forward, hands in lap. When they name an author, repeat the name with interest ('松本清張ですか!') — confirms you heard and invites them to share favorite titles. Make a mental note to bring up again in future conversations.
Asking about reading habits opens windows into a senior's intellectual life. Showa-era authors like Matsumoto Seicho, Shiba Ryotaro, Endo Shusaku are reference points. The respectful passive '読まれた' and honorific 'どなた' make the question feel dignified, not casual. When they name an author, repeat with interest — they'll volunteer favorite titles next.