Japanese Dialects: Accents from Hokkaido to Okinawa

Did you know that there are different Japanese dialects? As you’re learning Japanese, you might notice that native speakers have different accents and words depending on where they are from. The Japanese that you’re learning is called hyojungo or kyotsuugo, which means common or standard language. 

We’ll first go over general information about Japanese dialects, but you’re welcome to skip ahead to the different dialects!

Note: I’m a speaker of standard Japanese, so the audio clips may not be exactly as the dialect sounds. However, I’ve recorded them to the best of my ability. Keep in mind that there are more dialects and many other characteristics/words than I could fit in this article! 

 

An Introduction to Japanese Dialects

 

How do you say dialect in Japanese? 

Dialect is 方言ほうげん (hougen) in Japanese and translates to “way of speech”.  When referring to specific regional dialects you use 弁べん(ben). For example, Kansai dialect is 関西弁 かんさいべん(kansai ben). 

 

What is Hyojungo or Kyotsugo?

The Japanese that you encounter in textbooks and Japanese classes is called hyojungo or kyotsugo. During the Meiji restoration of 1868, the language taught in schools and used in official communication was standardized.

Although each region tends to have its own dialects, most people are able to speak and communicate in hyojungo. This “neutral” way of speaking was adopted from Tokyo-style speech.  Japanese people consider the accents of Tokyo and surrounding areas to be neutral and without an accent.

 

The Japanese attitude towards dialects

In the past, those from outside Tokyo would feel shame for their dialects and had to change to hyojungo. In recent times, dialects have been getting more attention and popularity. The unique regional accents are allowing people to feel pride in where they come from. Many people also find these dialects attractive or charming! 

In professional situations, there is still an expectation for hyojungo or the native dialect in the area. For example, it can be weird to speak a Kansai dialect in a professional situation in Tokyo. For casual communication, feel free to experiment and have fun with dialects!

 

General dialect regions:

Japanese dialects have three broad regions: The eastern, western, and kyuushuu (southern) areas. Within each area there can be similar structures and intonations. However, there are also smaller sub-dialects that each have their own unique characteristics and words. 

In this article, we’ll be focusing on Hokkaido, Touhoku, Kansai, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Okinawa dialects! Here’s a map so you can get a regional overview:

 

 

Hokkaido ben

京浜にけ at Japanese Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hokkaido is the northernmost prefecture of Japan. This dialect is relatively new because it is a mixture of many different regional dialects. Around the Meiji period there was an influx of settlers who came from different areas of Japan. There is some debate as to whether Hokkaido ben is an actual dialect or just a mixture of dialects. However, there are clearly special words and phrases that only Hokkaido people use.

 

Characteristics

Hokkaido ben can be a mixture of dialects from the Touhoku and Hokuriku regions. This is where most of the settlers of present day Hokkaido came from. Over time, they have also developed their own ways of speech. In urban areas like Sapporo, you can expect the speech to be closer to standard Japanese. 

 

Special words and phrases

なまら – namara – very

Many Japanese dialects have their own ways of saying “very” and the Hokkaido dialect is no exception. If you want to add something extra to adjectives, you can add なまら (namara). For example, “very cold” could be なまら寒さむい (namara samui)

 

投なげる – Nageru – to throw away trash

This word is used in standard Japanese for “to throw”. However, throwing away trash uses the word 捨すてる (suteru). In Hokkaido the same word for “throw” is used for the trash.

 

履はく – Haku – to wear pants and gloves

In standard Japanese, 履はく(haku) is associated with wearing pants or underwear. In Hokkaido, the same word is used for wearing gloves. This can be surprising for those who are used to standard Japanese.

 

こわい – Kowai – to be tired

You might  be familiar with this word  which means “scary” in standard Japanese. In Hokkaido, it can mean something completely different!

 

したっけ – Shitakke – see you

This is a special goodbye used by people from Hokkaido. It is a casual goodbye for friends and family.

 

 

Touhoku ben

田附宏秀, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Tohoku region includes the north part of Japan below Hokkaido. It is mountainous, scenic, and popular for tourism. The Touhoku dialect is associated with a country-like image. You’ll sometimes notice that anime characters are voiced with the Touhoku dialect when they are from the countryside. 

 

Characteristics

Some defining characteristics of this dialect are that they don’t differentiate between the sounds like し (shi) and す (su). 寿司 すし(sushi), 煤すす (susu), and 獅子しし(shishi) are all pronounced the same way. These words would be pronounced しし (shishi) or すす(susu)  depending on the region of Touhoku. 

They also don’t differentiate the sounds for ち(chi) and つ(tsu), so the word for cheese チーズ (chiizu) would be ツーズ (tsuuzu). Because of this unique pronunciation, Touhoku ben has been nicknamed zuuzuu ben.

 

Special words and phrases

めんこい – menkoi – cute

This is a special Touhoku word that means “cute”. You can use it to replace the word かわいい (kawaii) in standard Japanese.

 

めんこ – menko – good child

If you want to praise a child, this is a phrase that Touhoku people might use. It’s a compliment for good children.

 

あんこ – anko – brain

This is a funny way to say “brain”. In standard Japanese, あんこ (anko) refers to sweet red bean paste. 

 

いずい – izui – itchy

In standard Japanese, かゆい (kayui) is the word for itchy. In the Touhoku region, you might hear this word instead.

 

あっぺとっぺ – appe toppe – doesn’t make sense or confusing

This is a cute Touhoku word that is used when something makes no sense. Touhoku people like to use ぺ (pe) in their phrase endings.

 

 

Kansai ben

C.L. Kao (eddie5150), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This is one of the most famous Japanese dialects because it makes up a large proportion of Japanese speakers outside of the Kanto region (where Tokyo is located). The Kansai region includes large cities like Kyoto and Osaka. It is like the southern accent of Japan. Japanese people tend to associate Kansai ben with loud, friendly, outgoing, and funny personalities.

 

Kyoto vs. Osaka slight differences

Although the Kansai dialect includes both Kyoto and Osaka, these two cities can have differences in their dialects. The Kyoto accent is considered classy because of the tradition associated with the city. Kyoto people also tend to speak slower while Osaka people speak louder and faster.

 

Examples of some differences:

 

来こない – Konai – To not come
Osaka: けーへん (keehen)
Kyoto: きーへん (kiihen)

 

無理むりです – muri desu- it’s not possible
Osaka: あかんねん (akan nen)
Kyoto: あかんし (akanshi)

 

Characteristics

When you hear the Kansai dialect you’ll notice that the pitch and intonation of words can be different from hyojungo. 

 

For example, the word 橋(hashi) meaning bridge is accentuated as follows:

Kansai dialect: Hashi

Standard Japanese: Hashi    

 

To make things more complicated, the same sounding word for chopsticks 箸 (hashi) is accentuated like this:

Kansai dialect:   Hashi

Standard Japanese: Hashi  

 

There are many small differences that you’ll start to notice the more you listen to the Kansai dialect!

 

Special words and phrases

おおきに – Ookini – Thank you

Although more common in Kyoto, you’ll notice that some people will say this phrase instead of the usual ありがとう (arigatou) for thank you. 

 

なんでやねん – nandeyanen – why?

This phrase became well known with the popularity of Kansai comedians. It is used when saying “why?”. Feel free to try it out next time you want to show some Kansai flare.

 

カッター – kattaa – dress shirt

In standard Japanese, dress shirt is usually ワイシャツ (waishatsu). In Kansai dialect you’ll find that dry cleaners will post advertisements with カッター (kattaa) meaning dress shirt.

 

さら – sara – new

When saying “new” in standard Japanese, people will use 新品しんぴん (shinpin). The Kansai dialect tends to use さら(sara) when expressing that they got a new item.

 

ほな – hona – good bye

This is a cool and casual goodbye! It means something like “well then, see ya”. 

 

 

Hiroshima ben

663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Hiroshima dialect is spoken in the Hiroshima prefecture located in the south west part of Japan. Hiroshima has both mountains and sea, and is famous for the seafood and shrines. The Hiroshima dialect was thought to be a bit scary or strong, but it has gained popularity through T.V. and celebrities.

 

Characteristics

In Hiroshima ben, the accentuation of words can be different from standard Japanese. For example, the word for cloud 雲くも (kumo) would be pronounced kumo instead of kumo (in standard Japanese). 

One of the main characteristics  of Hiroshima dialect are phrase endings and the way that particles are squished together. Some examples are that は (ha) and を(o) are not pronounced clearly.  In Hiroshima dialect, 薬くすりを… (kusuri o..)  would become くすりょう… (kusuryuu). 

 

Here are some Hiroshima ben phrase endings:

じゃ(ja) instead of だ(da)
Example “it’s rain”:
Standard Japanese 雨あめだ (ameda)  → Hiroshima ben 雨あめじゃ (ameja)

 

とる(toru) instead of てる(teru)
Example “it’s raining”:
Standard Japanese 雨あめが降ふってる (ame ga futteru) → Hiroshima ben 雨あめが降ふっとる (ame ga futtoru)

 

じゃろ(jaro) instead of だよね(dayone)
Example “it’s rain, isn’t it?”:
Standard Japanese 雨あめだよね (amedayone) → Hiroshima ben 雨あめじゃろ (ame jaro)

 

Special words and phrases

ぶち – buchi – very

Like every dialect, Hiroshima ben also has its own version of “very”. It can be used to amplify adjectives.

 

たいぎぃ – taigii – troublesome

This word can be used instead of めんどくさい (mendokusai) and can mean troublesome, annoying, or tiresome.

 

でべそ – debeso – outgoing

In standard Japanese, でべそ (debeso) normally refers to an outward belly button. However, in the Hiroshima dialect, it also means outgoing people or those who like to go out.

 

なんしよん? – nanshiyon? – what are you doing?

This is the Hiroshima style way of asking someone what they’re up to. It is equivalent to the standard Japanese 何なにしてるの？(nanishiiteruno?). 

 

いらう – irau – to touch

Instead of using さわる (sawaru) for the verb “to touch”, Hiroshima people might say いらう (irau). 

 

 

Fukuoka ben / Hakata ben

そらみみ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

These two Japanese dialects are similar and refers to the dialect spoken in Fukuoka prefecture. Hakata is a ward in Fukuoka city that developed its own dialect. However, these days it makes more sense to group Fukuoka dialect and Hakata dialect together as the dialect of Fukuoka.

 

Characteristics

Fukuoka is located in Kyushu and their dialect can be somewhat similar to Kumamoto ben. However, a key difference is that Fukuoka ben uses accentuation like standard Japanese. Other characteristics are that command form verbs like 食たべろ (tabero – eat), or 着きろ (kiro – wear) will turn into 食たべれ (tabere) or 着きれ (kire). The ろ (ro) is replaced with れ (re). There are many other changes in the speech from standard Japanese that you’ll find as you listen to a Fukuoka ben speaker.

 

Special words and phrases

なんち？- Nanchi? – what did you say?

In casual speech, Fukuoka people will ask なんち? (nanchi) when they didn’t hear what you said. It is a cute alternative to the standard Japanese なに? (nani?) or “what?”. 

 

ばり – bari – very

This is  “very” in Fukuoka ben. For example, “very cute” would be ばり可愛かわいい (bari kawaii).

 

なんしおうと？- Nanshiouto? – what are you doing?

If you want to ask what someone’s up to in Fukuoka ben, なんしおうと? (nanshiouto) would work great. In standard Japanese, it would be equivalent of なにしてるの？(nanishiteruno?).

 

よかよ！- yokayo! – sure!

This is an enthusiastic way to answer someone’s invitation or idea. In standard Japanese, it would be same as いいよ(iiyo).

 

好すきっちゃけど – sukicchakedo – I like you

Japanese people rank Fukuoka ben as one of the cutest Japanese dialects. The Fukuoka ben style “I like you” is considered unique and attractive.

 

 

Kumamoto ben 

くろふね, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kumamoto is located on the island of Kyushu in the southern part of Japan. They boast their own unique dialect and it is home of the Kumamoto castle. People around Japan tend to view the Kumamoto dialect as very cute and special!

 

Characteristics

This dialect is unique because it has no accent! This means that the pronunciation of the word doesn’t influence the meaning. For example, in standard Japanese you would pronounce 箸 (hashi – chopstick) and 橋 (hashi – bridge) differently based on the meaning. In Kumamoto dialect, the two words are the same. You can only figure out the meaning based on context.

Some other characteristics include replacing い (i) with か(ka) in i-adjectives. 怖こわい (kowai) or “scary” would be こわか (kowaka). うまい (umai) or “tasty” would be うまか (umaka). There are many other differences and words that you’ll start to notice when listening to Kumamoto speakers. 

 

Special words and phrases

がまだす – Gamadasu – work hard

This is a unique Kumamoto phrase that you can use similarly to 頑張がんばる(ganbaru) in standard Japanese. 

 

だご – dago – very

If something is very delicious or very cute you can use だご in front of the adjective.

 

とっとっと？- tottotto? – Is this seat available?

This is a funny phrase that you can use to ask if a seat is available. You might hear people say this at concert venues or bars to check if the seat is empty.

 

なおす – naosu – to put something back

In standard Japanese, なおす(naosu) means to fix something. However, in Kumamoto ben it means putting things away.

 

ひごもっこす – higomokkosu – a stubborn kyushu person

This word represents the spirit of the Kumamoto people. It usually refers specifically to men who are stubborn and true to their values.

 

 

Okinawa hougen / Uchinaaguchi

Paipateroma, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Okinawa is an island off of Japan that has its own rich history. In the 1600’s, the Japanese conquered the indigenous people of Okinawa. Some people in Okinawa still speak the indigenous language. However, most Okinawans speak a dialect of Japanese influenced by other languages. This is known as Okinawa hougen or Uchinaaguchi. 

 

Characteristics

The Okinawan Japanese dialect has a mixture of indigenous language and loan words from English. The U.S. held power for a brief time in Okinawa after WWII. This is why you will also see some American influence in the culture and food if you visit Okinawa. 

On top of the unique Okinawan words, you’ll notice that the pronunciation is very different in Okinawa. They tend not to use the sounds for え (e) and お (o), and changing them to い (i) and う(u)  instead. There are many other differences from standard Japanese that you’ll notice if you listen to an Okinawan speaker.

 

Special words and phrases

めんそーれ – mensoore – welcome

This is a special Okinawan word for “welcome”. You’ll often hear this in restaurants and businesses.

 

ハイサイ・ハイタイ – haisai・ haitai – hello

In the Okinawan dialect, these two words mean”hello” . Women use “haitai” and men use “haisai”.

 

ウチナー – uchinaa – okinawa

Okinawa is pronounced “uchinaa” in the native speech style. You’ll see this word often to refer to Okinawa.

 

ちゅら – chura – beautiful

This is a famous word that means “beautiful”. You’ll hear or see this word for beautiful things and people.

 

だーる – daaru – uh huh

In casual speech you might hear people say “daaru” in Okinawa. This means something like “uh huh” or when you want to show agreement to what you’re hearing. 

 

 

Other languages in Japan

It’s briefly worth mentioning that there are other languages in Japan. Instead of dialects, these are distinct languages that are separate from Japanese. The two main indigenous languages are Ryukyuan and Ainu. Both languages are endangered, as less and less people speak them.

 

Ryukyuan languages refer to the indigenous languages of the Ryukyu islands of Japan like Okinawa and Kagoshima. These languages are in the same family as Japanese, but are separate languages.

 

The Ainu language is the language of the Ainu people who are indigenous to Hokkaido. This language is unique and doesn’t fall into other language families. 

 

I hope that this article covered everything you need to know about Japanese dialects! As you meet different people, you’ll be able to appreciate the wide range of spoken Japanese. If you’re interested in other Japanese language learning blog content be sure to check out Japan in Japanese: Is it Nippon or Nihon? or Religion in Japan: Shinto and Buddhism 

~ Tanuki

 

 

Some of the Japanese sources used in this article:

https://men-joy.jp/archives/514879

https://www.hituzi.co.jp/epublish/academic_journal/nhng_onsei/nihongoonsei003_nhg_02baba.pdf

https://jouer-style.jp/5460

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/博多弁

https://hokkaido-labo.com/area/all/hokkaido-resional-dialects

https://www.hamajima.co.jp/eigo/okinawa-kotoba/