Friendly to Senior
Care · Conversation
以前、ペットを飼われていましたか。 — Did you used to have a pet? (Care · Conversation, Friendly to Senior, JLPT N4)
You
以前、ペットを飼われていましたか。
いぜん、ぺっとをかわれていましたか。
Did you used to have a pet?
Romaji: Izen, petto wo kawarete imashita ka. / Reply Romaji: Ee, inu wo katte imashita yo. Shiba-inu de, kashikoi ko de ne.
Reply
ええ、犬を飼っていましたよ。柴犬で、賢い子でね。
ええ、いぬをかっていましたよ。しばいぬで、かしこいこでね。
Yes, I had a dog. A shiba inu, a clever one.
Gesture & etiquette
Sit at eye level. When they mention the pet, react warmly ('柴犬!かわいいですよね'). Ask follow-up about name, color, personality — these details light up the memory.
Pet memories are a warm, often emotional door into family life. The honorific passive '飼われていました' (you kept, respectfully) frames pet care as a meaningful past activity. Listen for stories of training, family travel, the pet's personality. Common Showa-era pets: 柴犬 (shiba), 雑種犬 (mixed dogs), 三毛猫 (calico cats), 文鳥 (java sparrow).