For foreigners living in Kyoto, especially those who are studying Japanese, there is one more obstacle that they are sure to run into in addition to learning Japanese. That is the Kansai dialect spoken by Kansai people.
Learning Japanese is not an easy task, but when the Kansai dialect comes up, it's hard to understand! It is not easy to learn Japanese, but when the Kansai dialect comes out, many people may think, "I don't understand anymore!
I studied Japanese very hard before I came to Japan, but when I actually came to Kyoto and talked to the locals, I found myself wondering, "What did he just say? But when you actually come to Kyoto and talk to the locals, what did this person just say? But when you actually come to Kyoto and talk to the locals, you may find yourself with a big question mark in your head.
Today, I would like to introduce some phrases that Kansai people often use, along with standard Japanese and English.
Let's start with this royal phrase
Ookini (Kansai dialect) oo-kini
Arigato (Japanese standard)
Thank you (English)
This is the most famous phrase in the Kansai dialect, used to express gratitude, especially by older people.
If you mutter this phrase when you leave a restaurant, you are sure to be surprised.
bochi bochi(Kansai dialect)
Soro Soro (Japanese standerd)
It's about time... (English)
This phrase is used when visiting a friend's house and it's about time to leave, or when going to a restaurant for dinner and the conversation has died down and it's time to leave.
Example: It's about time we go.
Nande yanenn!(Kansai dialect)
Nande desuka!(Japanese standerd)
Why Would I wanna do that!/ Why not!
If you can use these phrases, you'll be one of the advanced Kansai-ben users.
As you can see, Kansai dialect is Japanese, but the expressions are different, so for those who have studied Japanese standard language at school, you may feel like saying, "Why not? How about spending your days in Kyoto?
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