Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan, is known not only for its historical landmarks but also for its unique dialect, Kyoto-ben (京都弁, きょうとべん [Kyoto-ben]). Kyoto-ben has a refined, gentle tone, often reflecting the elegance of Kyoto’s rich cultural heritage. For Japanese learners, understanding Kyoto-ben can add depth to your linguistic skills and make your interactions in Kyoto much more authentic.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some common phrases, unique grammar points, and verb conjugations in Kyoto-ben. Let’s dive in!
1. What Makes Kyoto-ben Unique?
Kyoto-ben is softer and more polite compared to standard Japanese (標準語, ひょうじゅんご [hyoujungo]). The dialect is characterized by:
- Gentle endings: Instead of abrupt sentence endings, Kyoto-ben softens expressions, often using the particle -haru and polite-sounding phrases.
- Musical intonation: The pitch and rhythm of Kyoto-ben can feel slightly more melodic than standard Japanese.
- Unique vocabulary: Kyoto-ben uses specific words and expressions that are uncommon elsewhere.
2. Common Kyoto-ben Expressions
Here are some frequently heard phrases in Kyoto-ben and their standard Japanese counterparts:
- ありがとうさん (arigatou-san)
Meaning: Thank you (polite)
Standard Japanese: ありがとう (arigatou)
Usage: The addition of -さん adds a friendly and courteous tone. - おいでやす (oideyasu)
Meaning: Welcome
Standard Japanese: いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase)
Usage: Commonly heard at shops or traditional ryokan in Kyoto. It conveys warmth and hospitality. - どすえ (dosue)
Meaning: It is / It’s so
Standard Japanese: です (desu)
Usage: This is a polite and feminine-sounding sentence-ending particle often used by Kyoto locals. - ほんまに (honmani)
Meaning: Really / Truly
Standard Japanese: 本当に (hontou ni)
Usage: Adds emphasis in casual conversation, similar to “seriously.” - ええ (ee)
Meaning: Good / Okay
Standard Japanese: 良い (yoi) or いい (ii)
Usage: Kyoto-ben uses ええ instead of いい to mean “good” or “fine.”
3. Kyoto-ben Grammar and Verb Conjugations
Kyoto-ben introduces some subtle yet distinct grammar and verb forms that differ from standard Japanese. Let’s examine a few:
a. Use of “-haru” for Politeness
In Kyoto-ben, the auxiliary verb -haru is added to verbs to make them more polite, similar to the standard Japanese honorific -masu form.
Example:
Standard: 行く (iku) → 行きます (ikimasu) [to go]
Kyoto-ben: 行く (iku) → 行かはる (ikaharu)
This form is respectful yet not overly formal, making it perfect for everyday use.
b. “-yasu” for Polite Emphasis
Adding -yasu to verbs softens them further and adds politeness.
Example:
Standard: 食べる (taberu) [to eat]
Kyoto-ben: 食べやす (tabeyasu)
This form is commonly used by shopkeepers or in customer service.
c. Sentence Ending Particles: “na” and “dosu”
Kyoto-ben employs unique sentence-ending particles to convey mood and politeness.
- -na: Adds a casual and friendly tone, often used in everyday conversation.
Example: ええ天気やな (Ee tenki yana) → “It’s nice weather, isn’t it?”
(Standard Japanese: いい天気だね [ii tenki da ne]) - -dosu: A polite and elegant sentence ender.
Example: こちら、どうどすか？ (Kochira, doudosuka?) → “How about this?”
(Standard Japanese: こちら、どうですか？ [kochira, dou desu ka])
4. Kyoto-ben Vocabulary Highlights
Kyoto-ben is filled with unique words that are not commonly used elsewhere in Japan. Here are some examples:
- おこしやす (okoshiyasu)
Meaning: Welcome
Similar to おいでやす but used in more traditional settings. - しんどい (shindoi)
Meaning: Tired / Exhausted
Equivalent to the standard 疲れた (tsukareta). - ちゃう (chau)
Meaning: Wrong / No
Equivalent to 違う (chigau) in standard Japanese.
5. Practice Sentences in Kyoto-ben
Here are some sample sentences to practice:
- Standard Japanese: お元気ですか？ (Ogenki desu ka?) [How are you?]
Kyoto-ben: お元気どすか？ (Ogenki dosuka?) - Standard Japanese: あなたはどこに行きますか？ (Anata wa doko ni ikimasu ka?) [Where are you going?]
Kyoto-ben: あんたどこ行かはるん？ (Anta doko ikaharun?) - Standard Japanese: 天気が良いですね。 (Tenki ga yoi desu ne.) [The weather is nice, isn’t it?]
Kyoto-ben: ええ天気やな。 (Ee tenki yana.)
6. How to Immerse Yourself in Kyoto-ben
- Listen to locals: Kyoto is full of traditional shops, restaurants, and teahouses. Pay attention to how staff and locals speak.
- Watch Kyoto-themed TV shows and movies: Many period dramas (時代劇, じだいげき [jidaigeki]) feature characters speaking Kyoto-ben.
- Practice with native speakers: If you have the opportunity, practice your Kyoto-ben with Kyoto natives to refine your intonation and vocabulary.
Final Thoughts
Learning Kyoto-ben is like discovering a hidden layer of Japanese culture. It may take time to master, but the effort will make your experiences in Kyoto richer and more meaningful. As you practice, don’t worry about perfection—locals will appreciate your effort and welcome you with a warm おこしやす!
Keep practicing and enjoy the charm of Kyoto-ben!
