Note Version Dialect Research Summary (2) Dialects That Seem to Have Boundaries

Thank you so much for all your help with the dialect research!
I'm going to summarize the results this time.
However, since the theme is "dialects," I'll be proceeding in my everyday Osaka dialect.

Not only did people leave comments, but some even wrote articles about it. Thanks to you all, it was a really great, interesting, and super helpful research project lol.
I'm truly grateful.

I've categorized whether each dialect has a boundary into the following three types, so please check them out!
・[Yes]
・[No (Common)]
・[No (Scattered)]

※However, please note that this is based on my own intuition.

It's been a month, so I'm starting to forget, but I'm going to list the many "words" I asked about in the previous article by prefecture, so please take a look.
But be prepared, because there are a lot of them!
Scrolling through them might be really tiring, too!
I'm just saying, I'll tell you in advance.

So, I've unusually included a table of contents, so please feel free to use it.

Alright, here we go!!

General Review of the Previous Article

1. "Janken" (Rock-Paper-Scissors) - [No (Common)]

There seem to be some partial variations, but it seems to be understood almost nationwide.
Chiba's "chiketta" and Tokyo's "bee" must be exceptions, right? 💦

・"Janken": Osaka, Hyogo, Saitama, Tokushima, Oita
・"Jai-ken": Osaka, Hyogo, Ishikawa, Tokushima
・"In-jan": Osaka
・"In-chan": Aichi (Owari)
・"Chiketta": Chiba
・"Ii-jan": Tokyo
・"Bee": Tokyo
・"Janken-pon": Aomori

2. "Warm" / "Cold" - [Yes]

There are variations, but basically it's either "attakai" or "nukui," and it seems to be clearly divided around Nagoya?
Many "cold" terms are also variations of the basic form, but Fukushima's "shibareru" is a completely different word.

・"Attakai/Samui": Saitama
・"Nukutoi/Samii": Aichi
・"Addagee/Shibareru": Fukushima
・"Attakai": Ishikawa
・"Nukui/Sabui": Hyogo
・"Attakai/Sabu~": Tokyo
・"Nuku(to)i/Sabui (Hieru)": Tokushima
・"Nugui/Sabii": Aomori
・"Attakai/Samii": Oita
・"Attakaka, Nukka, Nukutaka/Sanka": Nagasaki

3. Saying "~ra" instead of "~da" - [No (Scattered)]

It's beautifully scattered! This is the real thrill of dialects.
It changes depending on the flow of conversation, so that's to be expected.

・"Yan/Yaro": Osaka
・"~da": Saitama
・"Jan": Tokyo
・"~dabe, ~dabeshita/~dabai": Fukushima
・"Nandoine/Nandoyaa": Fukushima
・"~dane": Tokyo
・"Dade/Daro", "Dara", "Daken": Tottori
・"Ken/Ja/Jo": Tokushima
・"Dakkyan/Danzu": Aomori
・"~ya": Oita
・"Jannee/Jansaa/Janyo": Kanagawa
・"~bai/~tai/~nai/~banai/~gena": Nagasaki

4. "Tsumaranai" (Boring/Trifling) - [Yes]

It's generally divided into "shomonai" in Western Japan and "tsumaranai" in Eastern Japan, but it's interesting that Tohoku has completely different words.

・"Tsumaranai": Saitama
・"Omoshagune, Nasu": Fukushima
・"Tsumaran": Ishikawa, Oita
・"Shomonai": Hyogo, Osaka
・"Tsumannai", "Sha-nai": Tokyo
・"Tassui/Shonnai": Tokushima
・"Yazune": Aomori
・"Tsumaran/Shomonaka/Aita (bored)": Nagasaki

5. Splinter (Toge) - [None (Common)]

There is a special case in Fukuoka and Hiroshima with 'suibari', but does 'toge' (splinter) generally make sense nationwide?

・ 'Toge': Saitama, Aomori, Oita, Osaka
・ 'Suibari': Fukuoka, Hiroshima
・ 'Togetogeshii' (prickly/sharp): Tokyo

6. 'Gloomy, Plain' - [None (Scattered)]

The Osaka and Hyogo term 'shinkikusai' is actually quite rare, and it also carries the meaning of 'slow/sluggish'.
Does it feel like there are many variations of 'dark' overall?

・ 'Gloomy, Plain': Saitama, Oita
・ 'Nekura' (gloomy): Tokyo
・ 'Shinkikusai': Hyogo, Osaka
・ 'Dark/kusai': Tokyo
・ 'Dokure': Tokushima
・ 'Kuree': Aomori
・ 'Kuraka/kin-omoka': Nagasaki

7. 'Must not do' - [None (Scattered)]

I failed on this one. I regret that I should have just collected data on 'ikenai' (must not).
Even just looking at that, there are definitely unique characteristics in each region.

・ 'Yattara akan': Osaka
・ 'Yatte wa ikenai': Saitama
・ 'Yattara kangane' / 'Yaryasuna': Aichi
・ 'Yatte kan': Aichi
・ 'Dame': Tokyo
・ 'Igenee': Fukushima
・ 'Dame yagaine': Ishikawa
・ 'Tsumaran': Fukuoka, Nagasaki
・ 'Dame jiyan ka': Tokyo
・ 'Shitara iken': Tottori
・ 'Seraren / akan yo': Tokushima
・ 'Maine': Aomori
・ 'Yacchai ken': Oita

8. 'To throw away' - [None (Scattered)]

It seems 'hokasu' is common, but I was surprised that 'nageru' (to throw) is used in distant regions like Tohoku, Kanto, and San'in.

・ 'Horu, hokasu': Osaka, Hyogo, Tokushima, Ishikawa
・ 'Suteru': Saitama, Oita
・ 'Hokaru': Aichi
・ 'Nageru': Fukushima, Gunma, Tottori, Aomori
・ 'Hooru / hoottoite': Ishikawa
・ 'Houru': Tokyo, Tokushima
・ 'Houkasu': Nagasaki... I don't know how to read this 💦 'Hougesu? Houkasu?'

9. 'Ruler' - [Yes]

I think 'monosashi' (or 'sashi') is generally understood nationwide. However, it seems only the Kanto region uses 'senbiki'.

・ 'Monosashi (jougi)': Saitama, Ishikawa, Aomori, Oita, Nagasaki
・ 'Senbiki': Gunma, Tokyo
・ 'Sashi': Tokushima, Osaka

10. 'Occhin' - To sit - [None (Scattered)]

This is impressive!
Regional dialects are warm andwarm-hearted andheartwarming.

・ 'Occhin': Hyogo, Osaka, Tottori
・ 'Suwaru': Saitama, Oita
・ 'Occhanko': Hokkaido
・ 'Bokuchin': Tokyo
・ 'Tonchi (for babies)': Tokushima
・ 'Okakkomari (seiza)': Tokushima
・ 'Nemaru': Aomori
・ 'Ohiza': Nagasaki
・ 'Chanko': Nagano

11. 'Very (extremely)' - [Yes]

I feel like there are likely fine boundaries in four places: Kyushu, Kansai/Shikoku, Kanto, and Tohoku.
Especially the two Kyushu prefectures and Tohoku. Aomori has unique characteristics.

・ 'Totemo': Saitama
・ 'Gottsuu' / 'Monogottsuu': Osaka, Kyoto, Tottori
・ 'Doeryaa': Aichi
・ 'Metcha': Hyogo, Osaka
・ 'Unto': Fukushima
・ 'Tottemo': Tokyo
・ 'Erai / messa': Tokushima
・ 'Tange / noresore': Aomori
・ 'Shinken': Oita
・ 'Taite (weight) / yoosan (quantity) / honni (quality, etc.)': Nagasaki

⑫ Tidying up - [None (Scattered)]

It seems there are multiple ways to say this even within the same prefecture.
Perhaps the etymologies are two types: 'to tidy up' and 'to put away'.

・ 'Naosu': Osaka, Kyoto, Tokushima, Oita, Nagasaki
・ 'Katadzukeru': Saitama, Aomori
・ 'Shimau': Aichi, Hyogo, Nagasaki, Osaka
・ 'Katasu': Ishikawa, Tokushima
・ 'Zukeru': Tokyo
・ 'Tsumaeru': Tokushima

⑬ Adhesive Bandage - [None (Scattered)]

It's interesting because the product names that sell well in that region become the names for them.
For example, even if it's a 'Libatape' or 'Cut-Ban', I call them all 'Band-Aid' (lol).

・ 'Hansoko': Saitama, Ishikawa
・ 'Band-Aid': Osaka, Saitama, Aichi, Hyogo
・ 'Cut-Ban': Fukushima, Aomori, Nagasaki
・ 'Libaban': Tokushima
・ 'Harimono': Tokyo
・ 'Bansoko': Tokushima
・ 'Libatape': Oita
・ 'Kizuban': Nagano

⑭ Referring to oneself and others - [None (Scattered)]

I've heard that in cold regions like Aomori and Fukushima, using single-syllable words like 'wa' or 'na' is done to keep conversations as short as possible to conserve body heat.
Is that actually true?

It's still rare to call the person you're talking to 'jibun' (myself) in Osaka (lol).

Referring to oneself
・ 'Watashi/Ore/Boku/Jibun/Atashi': Osaka, Saitama, Oita
・ 'Ora/Wa/Wa-': Fukushima
・ 'Wate': Osaka, Ishikawa
・ 'Uchi': Tokushima
・ 'Wa': Aomori
・ 'Oi/Odon/Odongata (my house)':
Referring to others
・ 'Kimi/Anata/Omae': Saitama, Osaka
・ 'Jibun': Osaka
・ 'Omyasan': Aichi
・ 'Nisha': Fukushima
・ 'Oma(n)': Tokushima
・ 'Na': Aomori
・ 'Anta': Oita
・ 'Wai/Antasan/Omae/Onshi': Nagasaki

Is it the same as pointing in a direction?
・ 'Atchi/Kotchi/Sotchi/Dotchi': Tokyo, Tottori
・ 'Age/Soge/Koge': Tottori

⑮ Stirring - [Yes]

Is there a boundary around Gunma?
Up until then, it's a variation of 'kakimazeru' (to stir), but once you go north, 'kanmasu' seems to be the base form.

・ 'Kakimazeru': Saitama, Oita, Nagasaki, Osaka
・ 'Kanmakasu': Fukushima
・ 'Kanmasu': Gunma, Nagano
・ 'Mazemaze': Tokyo
・ 'Mazekoze ni suru': Tokushima
・ 'Kamakasu': Aomori

⑯ Putting on gloves - [None (Scattered)]

It seems divided, but it's not really divided 💦
There's also 'haku' (to wear) just like with socks.

・ 'Tsukeru': Saitama, Tokyo, Oita
・ 'Hameru': Aichi, Tokushima, Nagasaki, Nagano, Osaka
・ 'Suru': Ishikawa, Oita, Osaka
・ 'Haku': Aomori, Nagasaki

⑰ 'A little while' - [None (Common)]

I thought this was generally the same without any dialect, but Osaka and Aomori were particularly unique (lol).

・ 'Chotto no aida': Saitama, Oita
・ 'Chittonyaa': Aichi
・ 'Youteru aida': Osaka, Hyogo
・ 'Chotto no aida'/'Honno': Tokyo
・ 'Chotto(ko)ma': Tokushima
・ 'Wanka/Wantsuka': Aomori
・ 'Chitto'/'Chiittobakashi': Nagasaki

18. "Tomorrow's bread" - Indeterminate

This is clearly understood as is, no matter how you look at it (lol).
It wasn't really much of a dialect.

・"Tomorrow's bread": Saitama, Oita, Osaka
・"Today's bread" (also used for tomorrow's breakfast): Tokyo
・"Breakfast is always rice and miso soup": Nagasaki

19. How to sit during P.E. - [None (Common)]

It feels like "Taiiku-zuwari" and "Sankaku-zuwari" are understood over a wide area.
Maybe the others were just personal fads depending on the generation? 💦

・"Taiiku-zuwari" (P.E. sitting): Osaka, Saitama, Ishikawa, Tokushima, Oita, Nagasaki
・"Taiso-zuwari" (Gymnastics sitting): Aichi
・"Taikusuwari": Tokyo
・"Anza" (Cross-legged): Tokyo
・"Sankaku-zuwari" (Triangle sitting): Hyogo, Tottori, Tokushima, Nagasaki, Osaka
・"Yankee-zuwari" (Delinquent sitting) / "Unko-zuwari" (Squatting): Tokyo

20. "Urusai" (Noisy/Annoying) - [Exists]

There seems to be a boundary roughly around Tohoku and Kyushu, and in between, "yakamashii" and "urusai" are mixed in.

・"Urusai": Saitama, Tokushima
・"Urushaa": Aichi
・"Uttsashii": Fukushima
・"Yakamashi": Osaka
・"Yakamashii": Ishikawa, Hyogo, Tottori, Nagano
・"Shaashii": Fukuoka, Oita
・"Urusei~" / "Jakamashii" / "Daru~": Tokyo
・"Jakaashii": Tokushima, Osaka
・"Tassui": Tokushima
・"Sasune": Aomori
・"Yazenaka / Yakamashika / Hitchakamashika": Nagasaki

21. "To steal" - [None (Scattered)]

Mostly "toru" or "nusumu" are common, but the distribution can't be clearly drawn with a line.
The unique ones are parts of Tokyo and Tohoku, I guess.

・"Nusumu" (Steal): Saitama, Aichi, Oita
・"Pachiru": Osaka, Kyoto
・"Pakuru": Osaka
・"Kapparau": Fukushima
・"Toru" (Take/Steal): Ishikawa, Tokushima, Oita, Nagasaki, Osaka
・"Tsumamu / Tsumanda": Tokyo
・"Giru": Aomori

22. "To glare" - [None (Scattered)]

Of course, "niramu" is understood nationwide, but it seems like there are various secondary dialect terms for it in different regions.

・"Menchi kiru": Osaka
・"Niramu": Saitama, Aichi, Tokushima, Oita, Osaka
・"Ganzuke" / "Gan-tobashi": Tokyo
・"Nemeru": Tokushima
・"Me no kitsuka" (Sharp look / Eyes are tired): Nagasaki

Additions and Extra Edition

Additional Responses

I also received additional responses to the article that sparked this research,
"Thinking about the 'Dialect Boundaries' seen in Aho and Baka", so I'll report them here.

1. Dialects for 'Aho/Baka' (Fool)
・"Dara / Daraya!": Ishikawa
・"Fuukemon / Dobekosu (Last place) / Taisho / Oudoka (Violent/Rude person) / Jidarakka (Lazy person)": Nagasaki

2. Dialects for when feeling unwell
・"Taisoi": Ishikawa
・"Kitsuka" (Physical) / "Shindoka" (Mental) / "Guai n waruka" (Sick): Nagasaki

3. Minor dialects used in conversation
・"Nandeine / Nandeyaa" (Dissatisfaction): Ishikawa
・"Shimasshi / Shimasshima": Ishikawa
・"Araa / Maaa" (Female) / "Hoimata" (Male): Nagasaki
・"Otoro / Ootoroo" (Surprise): Nagasaki
・"Dasuke" (Because): Niigata, Aomori

Accent Section

There were also some interesting comments about accents.

In terms of Osaka-ben accents, it goes like this:
・"Hashi" (bridge), "Hashi" (chopsticks), "Hashi" (edge)
"ha●shi", "hashi●", "hashi‐‐"
・"Sumi" (corner), "Sumi" (charcoal)
"sumi●", "su●mi"

Hmm, certainly, when it becomes Kanto-ben or standard Japanese, it flips.
If I were to say it in Osaka-ben, there are many skilled actors these days, but when I watch old shows like "Minami no Teio," it's so bad I can't even listen to it💦

Verb Conjugation Section

Oita Version

I won't really understand this unless I hear it in person.
Does it mean they mix "aru" and "oru" to get "otchōn"...?

Furthermore,
"Koyōn" (before arrival)
"Kochōn" (already arrived)
It seems they use these differently.
It's a somewhat cuter expression than just saying "kuru" (to come) or "kita" (came).

"Tawan" and "towan" sound like a comedy duo (lol).
In short, I wonder if the etymology is "tarin" (not enough) or "todokan" (doesn't reach).

Also,
"Yodaki" - troublesome/tiresome
"Hawaku" - to clean
These would absolutely not be understood💦

Nagasaki Version

If I were to say that, I think "togatteru" (is pointed) would be fine, but I guess that's not it.
No, maybe "togaraseteru" (is making it pointed) is correct.
I suppose the meaning would be understood in context, but it's a phrasing that makes you have to process it in your head for a moment.

And one more thing,
It seems that having numb hands is called "koshikireru."
The etymology is said to be "(fingers) waist breaking," but even so, I'm left thinking "Why?" and the meaning doesn't connect.
How does "waist breaking" turn into "numb"?

Other Dialects

Nagano's "kamau"
"Morurashii" means pitiful.
Apparently, "kamau" means to tease and treat someone affectionately.
In Osaka, "kamau" means to take care of someone, so even though it's the same Japanese, the meaning is completely different.

I wonder how far the word "ochoke" is understood?
They say it in Tokushima too, but we say it in Osaka as well.
We also call it "ichibiri," which refers to someone who goofs around, and since Osaka people are at least show-offs, it pretty much applies to all of us (lol).
I really thought this was just Osaka, or at the very least Kansai, so I'm happy that Tokushima across the sea is a fellow user of the word.

Fukushima dialect is heartwarming.

When I think of Fukushima dialect, I can't help but think of the NHK morning drama "Oshin" or "Mibu Gishiden," which was also made into a movie and drama.
Even though it's a harsh natural environment where rice doesn't grow well, the language makes you feel the warmth of the people who live there.

Oh no! I can't live in Nagasaki.

"Ware ga tsuyoi" also means "strong-willed" or "stubborn," so it's not necessarily an insult.
And "aho" is a standard phrase for Osaka people, right? 💦
We say it all the time without any malice, so in Nagasaki, it would be an instant disqualification~~💦

Changing dialects

This is an excuse, but even within the same prefecture, differences depending on the specific area and generation are unavoidable, and even in the same place, it's not necessarily the case that everyone uses the same dialect for a single word.
It's true that even within Osaka Prefecture, the language differs depending on whether you are in the east, west, north, or south.
I've grouped those together this time, so please forgive me.

I think this might also be because dialects from people who came from elsewhere took root in that land and changed over time.
Because language is influenced by the movement of people, I wonder if that's why sometimes the same dialect exists in lands far apart.

The Japanese language itself has changed with the times, and it's only natural that dialects evolve along with it.
Maybe in a few decades, these dialects might disappear and be gone.

Since dialects are intangible, it's inevitable that they will quickly die out if people don't use them, but I think it's important to at least write them down in this form.
In that sense, I truly feel that this research was a good opportunity, and I would like to thank everyone again.

Really, thank you so much!

※The thumbnail image was downloaded from the free site Frameillust and created with Canva.