Japanese has a variety of dialects depending on the region and area. How do the pronunciation and way of saying the same words change depending on the dialect? This time, we will introduce dialects from all over Japan that use expressions when shopping.

1. Welcome (irasshaimase)

"Irasshaimase" is a basic greeting used by store staff when customers enter a store. This expression conveys a sense of welcome, as if to say, "Thank you for choosing this store from among the many other stores." The word "irasshai" is used to encourage the customer to come over. Now, let's take a look at the dialects of each region.

standard language

welcome

Irasshaimase

Welcome

Nagoya dialect

Iryase

Irya ase

Welcome

Aichi Prefecture is located in the center of Japan. The dialect spoken mainly in Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture is called Nagoya dialect.

Kyoto dialect

Welcome

Okoshiyasu

Welcome

Kyoto Prefecture is a world-famous tourist city. Kyoto dialect is characterized by its soft tone of voice. "Okoshiyasu" is a more polite way of saying "Oideyasu." The "okoshi" in "okoshiyasu" is written in kanji as "okoshi," and the "oide" in "oideyasu" is written in kanji as "oide." "Okoshi" carries the implication of making a special trip, more so than "oide."

Sanuki dialect

Come on over

Oidemai

Welcome

Kagawa Prefecture is located in the northeast of the Shikoku region. Kagawa Prefecture was once called "Sanuki Province." The dialect spoken in "Sanuki Province" is called Sanuki-ben.

Kagoshima dialect

Ojattamonse

Ojyattamonse

Welcome

Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southernmost tip of Honshu. The dialect spoken in Kagoshima Prefecture is Kagoshima dialect.

2. How much is it?

"Ikura desu ka" is a basic expression often used when asking the price of an item. A polite way to ask would be "o ikura desu ka." The standard Japanese word "ikura" changes to "nanbo" in Yamagata, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Hakata dialects.

standard language

how much is this?

Kore wa ikura desu ka?

How much is this?

Yamagata dialect

How much is it?

Ken nanbo yassu?

How much is this?

Yamagata Prefecture is located in the southwest of the Tohoku region. In the Yamagata dialect, "this" is expressed as "ken" instead of "kore."

Osaka dialect

How much is this?

Kore nanbo?

How much is this?

Osaka is the second largest city in Japan. In Osaka dialect, "ikura" is used to ask about quantity, and "nanbo" is used to ask about quantity.

Hiroshima dialect

How much is this?

Kore nanbo?

How much is this?

Hiroshima Prefecture is located in the southern part of the Chugoku region. Just like Osaka dialect, Hiroshima dialect also expresses "ikura" as "nanbo."

Hakata dialect

How much is this?

Kore nanbo?

How much is this?

Fukuoka Prefecture is located in the northern part of Kyushu. Originally, the dialect was spoken mainly in Hakata, but now it is said to be spoken throughout the prefecture.

Okinawa dialect

Kurechasayaibiga?

Kurē chassayaibīga?

How much is this?

Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost prefecture in Japan and is made up of many islands. The Okinawan dialect is one of the most unique in Japan. "Kore" (this) is expressed as "kurē." "Chassayaibīga" (chassayaibīga) means "how much is it?" (ikura desu ka).

3. Please give methis.

"Kore wo kudasai" is a basic expression used when purchasing an item. It is used when you want to tell the store clerk what item you would like to purchase.

standard language

Please give me this.

Kore wo kudasai

I'll take this.

Tsugaru dialect

Koizu, Kerain

Koizu kerain

I'll take this.

Aomori Prefecture is located in the northernmost part of the Tohoku region. Tsugaru dialect is spoken in the western part of Aomori Prefecture on the Sea of Japan side. "Kore" meaning "this" is expressed as "koizu," and "kudasai" meaning "please" is expressed as "kerain."

Niigata dialect

This is good

Kore kunnase

I'll take this.

Niigata Prefecture is located in the Hokuriku region. The Echigo Plain in Niigata Prefecture is known as a rice-producing region. The Niigata dialect is spoken mainly in Niigata City. In Niigata dialect, "kudasai," which means "please," is expressed as "kunnase."

Tottori dialect

I won't do this

Kore goshinai

I'll take this.

Tottori prefecture is located in the northeastern part of the Chugoku region. Tottori dialect is a dialect mainly spoken in Tottori city and the eastern part of Tottori prefecture. In Tottori dialect, "kudasai" which means "please" is expressed as "goshinai".

Nagasaki dialect

This smells bad

Kore kunsai

I'll take this.

Nagasaki Prefecture is located in the northwest of the Kyushu region. In Nagasaki dialect, "kudasai" which means "please" is expressed as "kunsai."

4. Thank you (arigatō)

"Thank you (arigatō)" is an expression that customers can use when they have finished shopping to express their gratitude to the store clerk. It is a convenient phrase that can be used anytime you want to express your gratitude even when not shopping. If you want to express "thank you (arigatō)" more politely, you can say "arigatōgozaimasu" (thank you very much).

standard language

thank you

Arigatō

Thank you.

Akita dialect

Ogini

Ogini

Thank you.

Akita Prefecture is located in the west of the Tohoku region, facing the Sea of Japan. The Akita dialect is spoken in Akita Prefecture.

Kansai dialect

Thank you

Okini

Thank you.

"Ookini" is an expression that is often used in the Kansai region, centered around Osaka and Kyoto prefectures.

Miyazaki dialect

Ookkin

Okin

Thank you.

Miyazaki Prefecture is located in the southern part of Kyushu. The dialect spoken in Miyazaki Prefecture is Miyazaki dialect.

This time, we looked at Japanese that can be used in shopping situations, focusing on dialects. There are many dialects used in Japanese. Once you can speak standard Japanese, why not try your hand at the dialect of your favorite place?

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