Switching between regional and standard Japanese

The idea

For example, Osaka-associated なおす can mean “put away”, ほかす “throw away”, and あかん “no good”. In a message to a wider audience, use the standard equivalents 片付ける, 捨てる and だめ. The examples below use standard Japanese; politeness and regional variety are separate choices.

Examples

• 本ほんを棚たなに片付かたづけます。I put the book away on the shelf.
• 紙かみをごみ箱ばこに捨すてます。I throw the paper in the bin.
• それはだめです。That is no good.
• これはいくらですか。How much is this?
• わからない時ときは、人ひとに聞ききます。I ask when I do not understand.
• みんなにわかる言葉ことばで説明せつめいします。I explain it in words everyone understands.

Watch out

Not every Osaka speaker uses these forms, and they are not confined to Osaka. Standard 直す can mean “repair”, so check the intended meaning before switching.

Try it yourself

1. Osaka なおす means “put away” here. Choose the standard equivalent: （片付ける／直す）

   Show answer or example answer

   片付ける

   片付ける means “put away”; 直す commonly means “repair” in standard Japanese.

2. Osaka ほかす means “throw away”. Choose the standard equivalent: （捨てる／片付ける）

   Show answer or example answer

   捨てる

   捨てる means “throw away”; 片付ける means “put away”.

3. Osaka あかん means “no good”. Choose the standard equivalent: （だめ／いくら）

   Show answer or example answer

   だめ

   だめ conveys “no good”; いくら asks “how much”.

Use it today

Imagine explaining a local instruction to someone unfamiliar with the variety. Choose the standard expression that preserves its meaning.