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Survival Kansai-ben

サバイバル関西弁

The 10 words you'll hear every day in Osaka. Master these first!

Phrases (10)

1
おおきに
ookini
Thanks / Hello (Kansai)
Literally: "Greatly (appreciated)"
casual Standard: ありがとう (arigatou)
The quintessential Osaka word. Used for "thanks" but also as a friendly greeting in shops. You'll hear this constantly in Osaka.
2
せやな
seyana
That's right / Yeah
casual Standard: そうだね (sou da ne)
The Osaka "yeah". You'll hear this in every conversation. Variations: せやねん (seya nen) for emphasis.
3
あかん
akan
No good / Can't / Don't!
casual Standard: だめ (dame) / いけない (ikenai)
Osaka's versatile "no". "Akan akan!" (あかんあかん) is emphatic. "Akankatta" (あかんかった) = "It was no good".
4
ほんま？ ほんま
honma?
Really?
casual Standard: ほんとう？ (hontou?)
ほんまに (honma ni) = really/truly. One of the most common Kansai words. Use it constantly!
5
おもろい
omoroi
Funny / Interesting
casual Standard: おもしろい (omoshiroi)
High praise in Osaka! おもろいやん！(omoroi yan!) = That's hilarious! Osakans love humor.
6
ええ
ee
Good / Fine / Yes
casual Standard: いい (ii)
ええやん (ee yan) = That's good! ええで (ee de) = It's fine/okay. ええ感じ (ee kanji) = Good feeling/looking good.
7
ちゃう
chau
No / Wrong / Different
casual Standard: 違う (chigau)
ちゃうちゃう (chau chau) = no no. The famous tongue twister: ちゃうちゃうちゃう？(Is that a Chow Chow dog?) ちゃうちゃう (No, it isn't).
8
なんぼ？ なんぼ
nanbo?
How much?
casual Standard: いくら？ (ikura?)
Classic Osaka merchant word. なんぼでもええで (nanbo demo ee de) = Any amount is fine / Take as much as you want.
9
めっちゃうまい！ めっちゃうまい
meccha umai!
Super delicious! (Kansai)
casual Standard: とてもおいしい (totemo oishii)
めっちゃ (meccha) = very/super (Kansai). うまい (umai) = delicious (casual, slightly masculine). Osaka food deserves this!
10
しゃあない
shaanai
It can't be helped
casual Standard: しょうがない (shouganai)
Philosophical acceptance. When something goes wrong: まあ、しゃあないな (maa, shaanai na) = Well, nothing to be done.

Cultural Notes

  • Osaka people are proud of their dialect. Using even a little Kansai-ben shows respect and often delights locals.
  • Unlike Tokyo, Osaka embraces warmth and humor in daily interactions. Don't be surprised if shopkeepers joke with you!
  • The Osaka-Tokyo dialect rivalry is real but friendly. Osakans might tease you if you use Tokyo Japanese.

Practice Tips

  • Shadowing: Repeat each phrase out loud immediately after reading
  • Context: Imagine yourself in the situation while practicing
  • Real use: Try one new phrase each day in real situations