In this workshop you will practice a short, realistic conversation about renting a home and asking about pets. You will learn how to ask a general question about pets, how to ask about a specific animal, and how to understand a reply that allows one kind of pet but not another. Each native example is given as a recording reference, and the English meaning is explained before you practice it. You can play both roles yourself: first as the person asking, then as the person answering. Speak out loud, keep a steady rhythm, and repeat each line until it feels comfortable.
Asking a general question about pets
Start with the broadest question. «ペットは飼えますか？» means "Can I keep a pet?" This is a general question you can use when you do not need to name the animal yet. A shorter, very common version appears in «ペット可ですか？», which means "Is it pet-friendly?" You will often see and hear this short form in rental listings and at a rental office. Both questions are polite and easy to say. Practice them slowly first, then at a natural speed. Notice that the general question does not name any animal, so it is a good first step before you give details.
Naming the animal you have
When you want to be specific, name the animal. «猫を飼ってもいいですか？» means "Is it okay to keep a cat?" Here the animal is stated clearly, so the listener knows exactly what you are asking about. If your pet is a dog, you can use the same pattern with a different animal word. For a small dog, use «小型犬は大丈夫ですか？», which means "Is a small dog okay?" This identifies a small dog specifically; the reply in this exercise allows only small dogs. Say each line a few times and keep the animal word clear. The animal word is the part your listener needs to hear most.
Understanding a reply with a restriction
A yes answer can still include a limit. In the exchange, the first speaker asks «すみません、このアパートはペット可ですか？», which means "Excuse me, is this apartment pet-friendly?" The answer is «はい、ペット可ですが、小型犬のみです。», which means "Yes, it's pet-friendly, but only small dogs." So the answer is yes, with one condition. The first speaker then checks about cats with «猫はだめですか？», which means "Are cats not allowed?" The answer is «申し訳ありません、猫は不可です。», which means "I'm sorry, cats are not allowed." Listen for the word that shows a limit, and listen for the final answer about the second animal. This is the key skill: a yes for one pet can be a no for another.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
ペットは飼えますか？
Can I keep a pet?
Petto wa kaemasu ka?
ペット可ですか？
Is it pet-friendly?
Petto ka desu ka?
猫を飼ってもいいですか？
Is it okay to keep a cat?
Neko o katte mo ii desu ka?
小型犬は大丈夫ですか？
Is a small dog okay?
Kogata inu wa daijōbu desu ka?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、このアパートはペット可ですか？
Excuse me, is this apartment pet-friendly?はい、ペット可ですが、小型犬のみです。
Yes, it's pet-friendly, but only small dogs.猫はだめですか？
Are cats not allowed?申し訳ありません、猫は不可です。
I'm sorry, cats are not allowed.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: ask, then answer
Imagine you are at a rental office. You will play both roles. First you are the person asking about the apartment. Then you are the staff member answering.
Your task: Say the question in «すみません、このアパートはペット可ですか？» out loud. Then answer as the staff member with «はい、ペット可ですが、小型犬のみです。». Repeat the pair three times. On the first round, speak slowly. On the second round, use a natural speed. On the third round, try to say the answer without looking at the text.
Reply comprehension: yes or no for cats
You have just heard the answer in «はい、ペット可ですが、小型犬のみです。», which allows small dogs only. Now you want to know about a cat. You ask the question in «猫はだめですか？», and the staff member replies with «申し訳ありません、猫は不可です。».
Your task: Read or listen to «猫はだめですか？» and «申し訳ありません、猫は不可です。». Then answer this question in English: does the reply allow a cat, or not? After you decide, say «申し訳ありません、猫は不可です。» out loud as the staff member. Then say «猫はだめですか？» out loud as the customer.
Recall with correct roles
Cover the text. You will rebuild the short conversation from memory, using the correct role for each line. The customer asks about the apartment, the staff member answers, the customer asks about a cat, and the staff member answers again.
Your task: Say the four lines in order from memory: «すみません、このアパートはペット可ですか？», «はい、ペット可ですが、小型犬のみです。», «猫はだめですか？», «申し訳ありません、猫は不可です。». If you forget a line, look at it, cover it again, and repeat the whole sequence. Do this until you can say all four lines in order without looking.
Common questions
What is the difference between the general question and the specific question?
The general question, «ペットは飼えますか？», asks about pets without naming an animal. The specific question, «猫を飼ってもいいですか？», names the animal, so the listener knows exactly what you are asking about. Use the general question first, then use a specific question if you need a clear answer about your own pet.
The answer was yes, but then the staff member said no to a cat. Why?
A yes answer can include a limit. In «はい、ペット可ですが、小型犬のみです。» the answer allows small dogs only, so the apartment is pet-friendly but not for every pet. When you ask about a cat in «猫はだめですか？», the answer in «申し訳ありません、猫は不可です。» is a refusal. Listen for the limit in the first answer, and listen for the final answer about the second animal.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask about pets allowedChecked September 2026
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