42 What is Kansai-ben? (All About the Kansai Dialect)

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is Kansai-ben?

Topics Discussed

• What the Kansai dilaect is
• The different that are found within the Kansai region of Japan
• Osaka-ben vs other dialects within the Kansai-ben umbrella
• The stereotype of the Ōsaka no obachan (older lady from Osaka)
• Leopard print clothing
• Who uses ōkini and where it is typically used
• The characteristic intonation of the Kansai dialect
• Switching back and forth between the "standard" Japanese dialect and the Kansai dialect
• Vowel elongation in the Kansai dialect
• "S" sounds being switched out for "h" sounds in the Kansai dialect
• The Keihan train line
• The Keihan train line's Okeihan mascot character
• The -hen suffix
• How dialects from regions close in proximity to one another tend to share more similarities than dialects from regions far apart.
• About nandeyanen
• About aho and its usage
• Hard to believe theories about the etymology of aho
• About meccha
• The etymology of ōkini
• About shānai
• About akan
• The origin of akan
• What rachi ga akanai means
• About chau and the famous chow chow chau pun
• What bokobokoegui means
• What dabo means
• How many people perceive the Osaka and Kyoto dialects
• Usage of the Kansai dialect by yakuza
• Learning the Kansai dialect
• And much more!

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Sources, Links, Videos, Etc.

Here are some of the English-language sources used for this episode.

• Kansai-ben: b. Accent (Accentuation and pitch pattern)
• Kansai-Ben: 18 Fun Kansai Dialect Phrases To Use When Visiting Osaka!
• Intonation Differences between Common Phrases in Standard Japanese and Kansai-ben
• "Metcha suki ya nen": A sociolinguistic attitude survey concerning the Kansai dialect

Here are some of the Japanese-language sources used for this episode.

• 関西弁は中国語？「無形文化遺産」と強調する北大教授の名物講義とは
• 日本の方言における最大の発明は「なんでやねん」
• 「おおきに」の意味｜方言や語源・「おおきに」の真逆使い方2例
• あかんの語源・由来
• 😲元男子の関西弁講座‼️『あかん』語源 由来知ってますか。。。？関西弁の歴史！関西弁『アカン』の意外な事実。。。言葉って面白い！方言は多様だから
• 阿呆・あほう・あほ
• 阿呆の意味とは?由来や類語・馬鹿との違いは?関西と関東で使われ方が違う?
• 面白い神戸弁★笑われちゃう方言のセリフ10選
• 大阪弁と京都弁の違いを1人の大阪人がざっくり解説［同じ関西弁でも微妙に違うところがある］

Check out the latest episode of Japan Station via the link below.

• Yuji Dreams of Noodles: Chatting About Ramen, Fish & Osakana w. Restaurant Owner & Fish Expert Yuji Haraguchi | Japan Station 64

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Japanese Vocabulary List

Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.

• Yaoya
  • 八百屋 【やおや】 (n) greengrocer; fruit and vegetable shop
• Nandedyanen
  • なんでやねん (exp,int) (ksb:) what the hell?; what are you going on about?; what the hell are you doing?; you've got to be kidding
• Meccha
  • めっちゃ (ateji) (adv) (sl) (ksb:) very; extremely; excessively
• Akan
  • あかん (exp) (ksb:) useless; no good; hopeless
• Rachi ga akanai
• Shaanai
  • しゃあない (exp) (ksb:) it can't be helped; so it goes; c'est la vie
• Chau
  • ちゃう (int) (1) (ksb:) no; that's wrong; it's not like that; (exp) (2) (ksb:) isn't it?; wasn't it?
• Chigau
  • 違う 【ちがう】 (v5u,vi) (1) to differ (from); to vary; (v5u,vi) (2) to not be in the usual condition; (v5u,vi) (3) to not match the correct (answer, etc.); (v5u,vi) (4) (See 話が違う) to be different from promised; (exp) (5) (ksb:) (at sentence-end; oft. as 〜のと違うか) isn't it?; wasn't it?; (P); 【たがう】 ; (v5u,vi) (1) to differ; to be different; (v5u,vi) (2) to run counter to; (v5u,vi) (3) to change (into something out of the ordinary)

We Want Your Questions

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

Illustration in featured image: By Rhama based on concept by Tony Vega

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Full Show Notes

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