Happy Sunday Japanophiles, Herewith the 36th issue of the Hai Japan Newsletter — your Weekly Dose of Japan!

Today, we’re going to talk about one of the most fascinating parts of the Japanese language – the differences between Kansai-ben (the dialect spoken in the Kansai region) and Standard Japanese (Hyojungo), which is spoken in Tokyo and throughout most of Japan.

Kansai-ben is used in areas like Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, and it’s known for being more direct, lively, and sometimes even more humorous compared to Standard Japanese.

This dialect gives the Kansai region a lot of character and is something you’ll encounter if you watch Japanese comedy shows or visit the area.

Kansai Dialect vs. Standard Japanese – A Beginner's Guide

1. Greetings and Common Expressions

One of the easiest places to see the difference between Standard Japanese and Kansai-ben is in everyday greetings and common phrases.

Even simple expressions like “thank you” or “good morning” have their own unique Kansai twist.

- Standard Japanese: ありがとう (Arigatou) or ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu)

- Kansai-ben: おおきに (Ookini)

In Kansai-ben, people often use "ookini" to say "thank you."

This word is particularly common in Kyoto, and you’ll even hear it when shopping in some traditional stores.

It feels warm and respectful, like a friendly "thanks" in English. Keep this in mind when visiting Kansai – it’s a fun and easy way to sound local!

2. “Very” or “A Lot”

When it comes to emphasizing things, Kansai-ben takes a different approach.

In Standard Japanese, the word "totemo" (とても) is used to mean "very" or "a lot," but in Kansai-ben, people use "meccha" (めっちゃ).

This is a hugely popular word in Kansai and can be heard everywhere, from casual conversations to TV shows.

- Standard Japanese: とてもおいしいです (Totemo oishii desu – It’s very delicious.)

- Kansai-ben: めっちゃうまいわ (Meccha umai wa – It’s super tasty.)

"Umai" (うまい) is another word for "delicious" that's often used in casual settings, and adding "meccha" makes it feel more emphatic.

"Meccha" is one of the most useful Kansai words to know because you can use it in so many contexts – food, feelings, or even weather (like "meccha atsui" for "it’s super hot").

3. The Famous Kansai Ending Particles: "na" and "wa"

Ending particles are small but important parts of Japanese sentences.

In Standard Japanese, people often use "ne" (ね) to ask for agreement or confirmation at the end of a sentence, like when you want to say, "It’s nice, isn’t it?"

- Standard Japanese: いいですね (Ii desu ne – It’s nice, isn’t it?)

- Kansai-ben: ええなぁ (Ee naa – It’s nice, huh?)

Instead of "ii," Kansai-ben uses "ee" (ええ) to mean "good" or "nice," and instead of "ne" (ね), Kansai-ben speakers often use "naa" (なぁ) to add a casual, friendly tone.

This gives Kansai-ben a laid-back, warm feeling that’s very characteristic of the region’s culture.

Another famous ending particle in Kansai-ben is "wa" (わ).

This one is mostly used by women in casual speech to emphasize a statement.

While in Standard Japanese, "wa" (わ) is quite rare, it’s very common in Kansai-ben.

- Kansai-ben: ほんまやわ (Honma ya wa – It’s true, for sure.)

"Honma" (ほんま) is the Kansai version of "hontou" (本当), which means "really" or "true." So, the whole sentence translates to "That’s really true!"

4. Negative Form Changes: The "-hen" Ending

One of the biggest and most noticeable differences between Kansai-ben and Standard Japanese is how verbs are negated.

In Standard Japanese, verbs in their negative form often end in "-nai" (ない).

For example, "tabenai" (食べない) means "I don’t eat" or "I won’t eat."

In Kansai-ben, though, the negative form ends with "-hen" (へん), making it sound very distinct.

- Standard Japanese: 食べない (Tabenai – I won’t eat)

- Kansai-ben: 食べへん (Tabehenn – I won’t eat)

This change applies to most verbs in Kansai-ben, so instead of "ikanai" (行かない – I won’t go), you’d say "ika-hen" (行かへん – I won’t go).

Once you get used to this "-hen" ending, you’ll recognize Kansai-ben speakers immediately, and you can use it to add some Kansai flair to your own speech!

5. “To Be” Verbs: "Oru" vs. "Iru"

The verb for "to be" or "to exist" is also different in Kansai-ben.

In Standard Japanese, you use "iru" (いる) for animate objects, like people or animals.

But in Kansai-ben, the verb "oru" (おる) takes its place.

- Standard Japanese: ここにいる (Koko ni iru – I am here.)

- Kansai-ben: ここにおる (Koko ni oru – I am here.)

"Oru" (おる) is considered a little more casual than "iru" (いる), but in Kansai-ben, it’s widely used in all sorts of situations, from informal conversations to daily interactions.

It’s an essential part of sounding authentic in Kansai.

6. Asking “Why?” in Kansai-ben  

When asking "why" in Standard Japanese, you’re probably familiar with "doushite" (どうして) or "naze" (なぜ).

These are polite and neutral ways to ask for a reason or explanation.

However, in Kansai-ben, the go-to word for "why" is "nande" (なんで). You’ll hear this all the time in Kansai!

- Standard Japanese: どうして行かないの？ (Doushite ikanai no? – Why won’t you go?)

- Kansai-ben: なんで行かへんの？ (Nande ika-hen no? – Why won’t you go?)

Using "nande" in place of "doushite" gives your speech a more informal and direct vibe.

Combine it with the negative form "ika-hen" instead of "ikanai," and you’ve got a very Kansai-flavored sentence!

7. Vocabulary Differences

There are several fun and interesting vocabulary differences between Kansai-ben and Standard Japanese that you’ll notice right away. Here are a few common ones:

- Standard Japanese: だめ (Dame – No good / Not allowed)

 Kansai-ben: あかん (Akan)

"Akan" is one of the most famous words in Kansai-ben, and it’s used just like "dame" in Standard Japanese. You’ll hear it when something isn’t allowed, or when something bad happens. It’s an expressive word that can carry a lot of emotion depending on how you say it.

- Standard Japanese: 本当 (Hontou – Really / True)

 Kansai-ben: ほんま (Honma)

As mentioned earlier, "honma" is the Kansai equivalent of "hontou," and it’s used just as frequently in conversations.

You can use it to express surprise, disbelief, or to ask someone if they’re being serious.

- Standard Japanese: すごい (Sugoi – Amazing / Great)

 Kansai-ben: すごい (Sugoi) or えらい (Erai)

While "sugoi" is still used in Kansai-ben, you’ll also hear "erai" (えらい) to mean something is impressive or great, especially when referring to someone’s effort or hard work.

8. Yes and No in Kansai-ben

In Standard Japanese, "yes" is "hai" (はい) and "no" is "iie" (いいえ).

In Kansai-ben, people often use "seya" (せや) for "yes," which is a more casual and Kansai-flavored version of "hai."

You’ll also hear "seya nen" (せやねん) to emphasize the statement.

- Standard Japanese: はい、そうです (Hai, sou desu – Yes, that’s right.)

- Kansai-ben: せやねん (Seya nen – Yeah, that’s right.)

"Seya nen" is a very Kansai way of confirming something, and it’s often used in casual conversations with a bit of emphasis.

It’s one of those phrases that instantly gives away your Kansai roots!

Why Learn Kansai-ben?

Even if you're focused on Standard Japanese, learning a bit of Kansai-ben can be both fun and useful, especially if you're planning to visit the Kansai region. It can also help you better understand the nuances in Japanese TV shows, movies, or conversations with native speakers.

Kansai-ben gives you a deeper look into Japanese culture, as language and regional dialects are closely tied to the way people think, express themselves, and even make jokes. Mastering a few Kansai-ben phrases will not only make your conversations more dynamic but also connect you to a rich and vibrant part of Japan’s history and character.

That’s all folks!

Let me know if you want to know more about Japanese dialects :)

Have a great Sunday!