Learning Japanese invariably means learning ‘standard Japanese’, or the way formal Japanese is spoken in places like Tokyo. But here in the Kansai region, folks have their own way of talking. This dialect, often called Kansai-ben or Osaka-ben, is worth taking note of if you’re planning on visiting the region.
Learning Kansai-ben will help you break the ice with the locals, and probably earn you some street cred in the process.
The word “honma” is a real staple of the Kansai dialect, and can be used in almost any circumstance.
Honma ni? - really?
Honma ya! - really!
Honma kainaa - you must be joking
Honma ni kirei ya nen - it’s really beautiful
Honma ni atsui naa - it’s really hot
You cannot overuse this term, so use it liberally in any conversation. Your Japanese listener will certainly appreciate your efforts to speak Kansai-ben!
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