Standard Japanese and regional varieties

The idea

The examples use standard polite Japanese. In some Kansai speech, おおきに expresses thanks and ちゃう corresponds to plain 違う. Usage varies by place, speaker and situation. ありがとうございます is a polite standard way to thank someone; listen to the setting before choosing a register.

Examples

• 今日きょうは良よい天気てんきですね。The weather is nice today, isn’t it?
• 手伝てつだってくれて、ありがとうございます。Thank you for helping me.
• それは私わたしの本ほんではありません。That is not my book.
• 道みちを教おしえてください。Please tell me the way.
• 明日あした、また会あいましょう。Let’s meet again tomorrow.
• この店みせの料理りょうりはおいしいです。The food at this shop is delicious.

Watch out

A region does not determine how every resident speaks. The informal ちゃう is not appropriate for every formal setting.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the standard expression of thanks corresponding to Kansai おおきに. 関西かんさいの「おおきに」→共通語きょうつうごの「＿」。（ありがとう／さようなら）

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   ありがとう

   おおきに is a Kansai expression of thanks; ありがとう is a standard plain equivalent.

2. Choose the standard plain equivalent of Kansai ちゃう. 関西かんさいの「ちゃう」→共通語きょうつうごの「＿」。（違ちがう／行いく）

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   違う

   ちゃう can mean 違う in Kansai speech; both forms here are informal.

3. Thank someone politely. 丁寧ていねいに感謝かんしゃします。＿。（ありがとうございます／さようなら）

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   ありがとうございます

   ありがとうございます expresses thanks politely in standard Japanese.

Use it today

Listen to a labelled regional example, identify its meaning, then say a polite standard equivalent in your own situation.