A Book on Miyazaki Dialect: I Love It So Much! - Understand Miyazaki Dialect Just by Reading: The Cutest Miyazaki Dialect (Volume 85)
You've probably heard words like "tege" and "yodakii" before. But you don't know their true meanings—this book is for you.
Whether you've been to Miyazaki or not, you've surely heard these at least once.
"Tege atsui nee" (It's really hot), "Tege umai!" (It's really delicious!).
—But can you explain exactly what this "tege" means and when to use it?
Among Kyushu dialects, Miyazaki dialect is known for being "cute" and "soothing."
Yet, there aren't many books that properly explain why.
I am from Miyazaki Prefecture, currently 68 years old. Born in a windy town near the sea, I moved to Tokyo at 18. For over half a century, I have kept the Miyazaki dialect deep in my heart, like "underwear worn beneath the jacket of standard Japanese." Having worked various jobs—photographer, taxi driver, security guard, caregiver—and now teaching over 2,800 students on Street Academy as an AI manga instructor, when I get tired, the word that slips out is still "yodakii."
This book is a comprehensive dialect guide that packs everything about Miyazaki dialect into one volume, from the mechanics of the language and romantic phrases to essays based on my 68 years of real-life experience.
What you will learn in this book
Why Miyazaki dialect is called "cute"—the secret of its non-accented, rising intonation
The correct usage of the three most frequent words you want to learn first: "tege," "yodakii," and "icchyaga"
Words to watch out for that have different meanings than in standard Japanese, such as "naosu," "kowai," and "erai"
Regional differences between "Hyuga dialect" and "Morokata dialect" within Miyazaki Prefecture, and comparisons with Kagoshima and Hakata dialects
A collection of heart-fluttering Miyazaki dialect romantic phrases (e.g., "Tege sukiccha," "Zutto issho ni oritaka")
Daily conversation simulations you can use right away with friends, family, and at shops
Practical phrases useful for travelers, the relationship between dialect and local character, and the historical background of Miyazaki dialect
Notes on easily misunderstood expressions (e.g., "Kibarinai ne" is a word of encouragement, not a command)
Miyazaki dialect mini-quiz & appendix: Miyazaki dialect mini-dictionary
Author Dai Usami's "Tege Long Memoir"—Hyuga summer fruits with childhood friend Yoshio, the lucky balls at Udo Shrine, grandmother's cold soup, and the story of how "tege" wasn't understood the day I moved to Tokyo
Bonus: A collection of Miyazaki essays (real-life essays on Miyazaki food and travel, such as shiitake rice, Shigenoi's kamaage udon, and Ogura's chicken nanban)
This is not just a dialect dictionary. The word "tege" is packed with the temperature and humidity of my hometown and the faces of the friends I knew back then—it is a book where words and memories are set together.
Recommended for people like this
Those planning to travel to, return home to, or work in Miyazaki
Those who want to get closer to family, partners, or friends from Miyazaki
Dialect lovers who became interested after hearing that "Miyazaki dialect is cute"
Those who want to know the differences between Kyushu dialects (Miyazaki, Kagoshima, and Hakata dialects)
Those interested in confession phrases and romantic expressions in dialect
Those who want to enjoy not only dialect explanations but also the author's personal experience essays
Conversely, this book is not quite suitable for those strictly seeking academic accent research. It is a book intended solely to be "fun to listen to and make you want to try using it."
Reasons to read it right now
People from Miyazaki are very happy when people from outside the prefecture try to use their dialect. You don't need to master it perfectly. Just by remembering and saying "tege" and "yodakii," the atmosphere of the conversation should soften instantly.
You can read it at no extra cost with Kindle Unlimited.
First, please take a look at the table of contents.
After reading, you will surely want to say "tege" at least once.
Students' note