Friendly to Senior
Care · Conversation
ご主人とは、どのように出会われたんですか。 — How did you and your husband first meet? (Care · Conversation, Friendly to Senior, JLPT N3)
You
ご主人とは、どのように出会われたんですか。
ごしゅじんとは、どのようにであわれたんですか。
How did you and your husband first meet?
Romaji: Goshujin to wa, dono you ni deawaretan desu ka. / Reply Romaji: Omiai deshita yo. Ano koro wa sore ga atarimae de ne.
Reply
お見合いでしたよ。あの頃はそれが当たり前でね。
おみあいでしたよ。あのころはそれがあたりまえでね。
It was an omiai (arranged meeting). Back then, that was the norm.
Gesture & etiquette
Sit at eye level, attentive listening posture, hands folded calmly. If they hesitate or grow quiet, allow the silence. If joy shows, mirror it ('素敵な出会いでしたね'). If sadness shows, soften your gaze and stay present without trying to comfort with words.
How spouses met is often a treasured story for Showa-era couples. Common patterns: お見合い (arranged meeting via 仲人), 職場 (workplace), 同郷 (same hometown), 学校時代 (school days). Use 'ご主人' for husband, '奥様' for wife, '伴侶' (companion) if avoiding gender. If they've lost their spouse, allow space for emotion — don't redirect away from sadness.