Learn Japanese: An Introduction to Japanese Dialects | Tokyo Weekender (2024)

FAQs

What is the most difficult Japanese dialect? ›

Tsugaru Dialect: One of the most difficult dialects in Japan.

Answer and Explanation: There are approximately 13 recognized dialects of Japanese, though some counts are higher. Japanese is broadly divided into three categories, each including one or more dialects. They are as follows: Western Japanese: Chugoku, Umpaku, Kansai, Shikoku, and Hokuriku.

Hiroshima ben: this Kansai dialect is commonly associated with two things: the Chugoku region and the Japanese mafia. Although the extent of the latter remains to be confirmed. Kyoto ben: this dialect, together with Osaka ben, is generally referred to as the Kamigata dialect.

However, many experts believe it takes between 4 to 6 months of dedicated study to reach a beginner level. On the other hand, you can expect to spend at least 3 years studying to become fluent in Japanese with near-native level accuracy.

Is Japanese the hardest language to learn? Japanese is considered challenging for English speakers due to its distinct grammatical structure and writing system, but difficulty varies by learner.

The Japanese language is considered one of the most difficult to learn by many English speakers. With three separate writing systems, an opposite sentence structure to English, and a complicated hierarchy of politeness, it's decidedly complex.

The cold hard truth is that neither is easy to learn. The only real difference in difficulty is likely Mandarin's tonal notes. To make the Japanese language learning process easier, you may want to consider purchasing a language learning course from Rocket Japanese or Pimsleur Japanese.

There are distinctive disparities between the two language structures. Japanese grammar generally follows SOV (subject, object, verb) language. In contrast, Chinese grammar follows SVO, similar to English, making learning and speaking Chinese easier than Japanese.

In Miyazaki, there is a main dialect called Miyazaki-ben, plus several other dialects across different parts of the prefecture such as Kobayashi-ben or Miyakonojo-ben. Miyazaki-ben is said to be one of the 'cuter' dialects in Japan because of its song-like intonation (standard Japanese intonation is mostly flat).

Although standard Japanese is the most commonly used dialect, there are some perks to learning the other dialects as well, especially for travelers. By studying the dialect of the area you are visiting, it will aid you in understanding and communication with the locals better!

What dialect is most common in Japan? ›

While hyōjungo, literally “standard Japanese,” is the most commonly used form of the language, Japan also enjoys a rich variety of dialects.

The Tokyo dialect (Tōkyō hōgen, Tōkyō-ben, Tōkyō-go (東京方言, 東京弁, 東京語)) is a variety of Japanese language spoken in modern Tokyo. As a whole, it is generally considered to be Standard Japanese, though specific aspects of slang or pronunciation can vary by area and social class.

The common Kansai dialect is spoken in Keihanshin (the metropolitan areas of the cities of Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe) and its surroundings, a radius of about 50 km (31 mi) around the Osaka-Kyoto area (see regional differences).

They primarily speak Japanese, as they operate within Japanese society. However, the Yakuza does have its own unique terminology and slang, which is often used to communicate within the organization and differentiate themselves from the general public.

While hyōjungo, literally “standard Japanese,” is the most commonly used form of the language, Japan also enjoys a rich variety of dialects.

The three writing systems of Japanese are Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. You should learn hiragana first, followed by katakana and kanji. Hiragana looks more cursive than katakana or kanji. It is used to write native Japanese words, conjugation endings, and grammar particles.