The Basics of Kansai-Ben

The Japanese learned in school, in books, or other materials is what the Japanese call hyoujungo, or standard Japanese. Each region of Japan actually has its own dialect, hougen in Japanese, which still exists today more or less strongly depending on the areas and the generations. Kansai-ben is the most famous hougen. Spoken in the Kansai area (the region of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe), this dialect reflects the culture and lively nature of its inhabitants. Famous for their sense of humor, Kansai people produce many famous comedians whom you will often see on TV, using expressions in their lingo as a comedic tool.

After getting solid basics in Japanese, I would recommend knowing the basics of Kansai-ben. Not only will it be useful if you travel in the area, but it will also help you grasp a distinct part of Japanese culture, and help you understand a specific way of joking your friends may use.

The Kansai dialect varies slightly depending on the area of Kansai where it is spoken (for example, Kyoto people do not talk the same as Kobe people). For this article, I will concentrate on Kansai-ben as it is spoken in the Osaka area.

Key Expressions

• ’Ookini’: It is the local equivalent of “arigatou,” meaning “thank you.” If you go shopping in Kansai, local store staff will probably say it to you.