Kansai-ben side by side
The commonest differences between standard Japanese and Osaka speech.
| Kansai | Meaning | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| sō ya | that’s right | そうだ |
| akan | no good, can’t | だめ |
| honma | really | 本当 hontō |
| ikahen | won’t go | 行かない |
| nande ya nen | why on earth?! (comic retort) | なんでだよ |
| ōkini | thanks (traditional) | ありがとう |
| metcha | very | とても |
| chau | no, that’s wrong | 違う chigau |
Kansai-ben in conversation
Osaka is famous for its comedians, and its dialect for quick, warm banter.
AKore metcha umai de. · “This is really good, you know.”で at the end is Kansai よ.
これkorethisめっちゃmetchareallyうまいumaitastyでde(telling you, Kansai)
BHonma ya na. · “It really is.”や replaces だ; な for agreement.
ほんまhonmareallyやyaisなna(agreeing)
AMō taberarehen. · “I can’t eat any more.”へん replaces ない in the negative.
もうmōanymore食べられへんtaberarehencan’t eat
Other regions
A few signature features from around the country.
Hiroshima
Hakata (Fukuoka)
Tōhoku
Okinawa
More Kansai words
Common Osaka words beyond the basics.
| Kansai | Meaning | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| nanbo | how much? | いくら |
| shindoi | tiring, rough | つらい・疲れた |
| kamahen | it’s fine | かまわない |
| ē yan | nice! | いいじゃない |
| shiran kedo | …not that I know for sure | (Kansai hedge) |
| omoroi | funny, interesting | おもしろい |
Regional greetings
“Thank you” and “welcome” around Japan.
Check yourself
Try each one, then open the answer to check and hear it.
- really (Kansai)
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honmaStandard: 本当. - no good (Kansai)
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akanStandard: だめ. - won’t go (Kansai)
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ikahenStandard: 行かない. - thanks (traditional Kansai)
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ōkini - how much? (Kansai)
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nanboStandard: いくら.
Should you learn a dialect?
Learn standard Japanese first: it works everywhere. If you live in a region, picking up its greetings and endings is warmly received, and understanding Kansai-ben helps with TV and manga.