I am about to return to Japan and I plan on spending a few days visiting Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe (I’ve been to Kyoto before). I know that’s not a lot of time, but I can’t help that.

Now, my Japanese has gotten better since my last trip in January and I hope to be able to converse with more people. Of course, I understand Kansai has a different dialect, but I’d like more information on the topic. Though I intend to learn about the dialect in depth when I am more advanced, at this point, I just want to know what to expect.

First of all, are there important differences in the language used in these 3 cities or do they generally have the same dialect?

Second, can I expect everyone to 1) also be comfortable in standard Japanese and 2) switch to standard Japanese as soon as they see a foreigner like me?

Thanks for any info on this :)

Alexandreさん,

I think it’s ok to use standard Japanese (標準語). The people over there will be able to understand. So not to worry. =)

Mamoru

Interesting question, and I’d be interested to hear from our “Kansai-jin” which are a very general way of calling our Japanese friends from the Kansai region.

Q. First of all, are there important differences in the language used in these 3 cities or do they generally have the same dialect?

A. From my understanding, there are big differences in the three regions’ dialects, but if you’re not from the region, many can’t tell. Generally though, Osaka-ben and Kyoto-ben are very different, and the Kobe accent a milder/gentler version of Osaka-ben with similar appreciation toward humor :)

Q. Second, can I expect everyone to 1) also be comfortable in standard Japanese and 2) switch to standard Japanese as soon as they see a foreigner like me?

A. 1) Yes, they will understand everything you say in Hyojungo (standard Japanese (accent)) but 2) No, many can’t switch their accent/Kansai vocab for you (I’ve known many Kansai-jin trying to use Hyojungo and Hyojungo accents, but all involved end up laughing :D)

Enjoy your trip to Kansai!

Hi Alexandre,

1) Like Wren says, Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe all have a different dialect. It’s a bit difficult to explain the differences, but for example, if you take the word “konai” (doesn’t come. e.g. she doesn’t come) , it will be “kiihin” in Kyoto, “keehen” in Osaka, and “koohen” or “kiyahen” in Kobe.

Also, the word “～shiteiru” (doing something) will become “shitaharu” in Kyoto, “shiteharu” in Osaka, and “shitotteya” in Kobe.

Even within Osaka, there is a dialect called “kawachi-ben”, which is a bit more rough-sounding than the Osaka dialect.

2) Yes, everyone will understand standard Japanese, and no, I don’t think people will switch to standard Japanese to speak to a foreigner…but they might try :)

Kansai dialect is different from the standard dialect, but is not very difficult to understand, so I’m sure you will be fine. On top of that, Kansai people are very friendly and open people! Hope you have a great time and make sure to pick up some Kansai dialect during your stay :)

Btw, I’m an Osaka-born, Kyoto and Tokyo raised, multi-dialect Japanese :)

Thanks to all! Sou ya nen :) Omoroi nen ya!

I couldn’t help notice how people in Kansai find themselves in a similar situation as French-speakers in Canada. We speak a different dialect which was the norm until another region became more prosperous and their dialect became standard (Tokyo and Paris) and we have retained certain older forms. We tend to be “bi-dialectal” too, but not everyone is very good at speaking standard French. Moreover, while many Kansai comedians are famous nationwide, Québec has sent more than it’s fair share of singers and entertainers to France.

@Nao san- I loved the examples!! Really, really cool :) (I can almost hear my friends’ voices when I read them) I also found, especially my Kobe friends, to take themselves less seriously than my Kanto (Tokyo area) friends, and that made them more approachable and less intimidating for making mistakes. I’ve been “picked on” many times to “loosen up” and crack a joke once in a while, which is a very difficult thing to do if it’s not in your nature or you’re not brought up practicing everyday ;)

“Acadian” French is different from “Quebec” French also and is closer to standard French, but Quebec textbooks are the only ones used in the school system in Atlantic Canada. To function in Canada, people are encouraged to learn and master Quebec French rather than standard French, even if their ancestral dialect does not match it. I’m just mentioning this because it’s not information most people would usually have, and fits the context of the discussion about dialects.

I don’t mean to enter into a discussion that diverges from my own original question, but Acadian French is in no way closer to standard French. Acadian French comes from a different wave of immigrants who came from a different region than original Quebec settlers came from. Acadians speak a French that is much closer to QF than European French.

(shrug) I know the education system has tried to force the two closer for as long as I was a student. I won’t debate the issue further without some kind of linguistic expertise I don’t currently have in this area.

Anyway, dialects arise for many reasons, to drag it back to the main topic.

Hi. I’ve posted my Introduction to Osaka ben class, which started last week. Osaka studies are really interesting and actually there are many things to cover, but this class touches only a few basics things. Anyways, I’m sure this could help everyone to find more about Osaka ben. Everyone is invited to my class. Hope to see you all at the class.

I lived in Osaka for two years, but I confess that I can’t distinguish Kobe-ben from Osaka-ben. I know that, for example, “nani shitoo” and “nani yattoo” are mainly used in parts of Kobe, but usually when I hear Kansai-ben it’s just Kansai-ben to my ears :)