It's fun to learn about accents and local words! A dialect dictionary you can use starting today [Fukushima Prefecture]

Fukushima Prefecture is divided into three regions (Aizu, Nakadori, and Hamadori) by the Ou Mountains and the Abukuma Highlands, and each has developed its own unique culture and history. These differences are also reflected in the language, to the point that even people from the same prefecture sometimes find themselves asking each other, "Huh?"

This time, we will explain the Fukushima dialect and introduce it with example sentences

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Fukushima Prefecture Dialect Dictionary: Aizu Edition

The Aizu region in the inland area of ​​Fukushima Prefecture is an area with a wide range of heavy snowfall and harsh winters. Here we will introduce some dialects from the Aizu region, where history and tradition remain strong

Q. "Goseyakeru"

"Goseyakeru" is a word that describes a state of being very angry. In some regions, it may be pronounced "goseeyakeru" or "gosheyakeru." The level of anger is quite intense. It is used when you feel such intense anger that you can't stand it, such as feeling nauseous or irritated.

According to one theory, the origin of the word is said to be a variation of the expression "Gosei-hara ga yakeru" (Gosei-hara ga yakeru) which appeared in a Japanese dictionary. The word is used not only in Fukushima Prefecture, but also in some areas of Tochigi Prefecture

Example: If you say that, I'll be angry

Q: "What did you do?"

"Najoshita" is mainly used in question form, meaning "How was it?" or "What happened?" It's often used when you're worried about the other person. Therefore, it's a word that warms the heart of the person who hears "Najoshita."

"Najoshita" is a word that is used not only in the Aizu region, but throughout the prefecture and Tohoku. Words spread as people move, so it's interesting to imagine how it spread

Example: Soda ga mo ma najo shita? (What's wrong with you making that face?)

Q. "~kunansho"

"-kunanshoAddingplease do...". It's polite without being overly formal, so you can use it when inviting someone to a place or encouraging them to do something without sounding condescending.

Example: If you're ever in the neighborhood, please come over to my house

Q. "Agasuke"

"Agasuke" is a very distinctive dialect mainly used in the Aizu region, anda mischievous, playful, and restless child it refers to
Sometimes it is used with a nuance similar to "naughty brat" or "mischievous boy," but basicallya gentle scolding that has a touch of affection.

Example: You're doing that again!kid.

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Fukushima Prefecture Dialect Dictionary: Nakadori Edition

Nakadori is located in the center of Fukushima Prefecture and is a region with a lot of traffic from outside the prefecture. As a result, the dialect here is a mix of words from multiple areas both inside and outside the prefecture

Q: "Gaoru"

"Gaoru" is a word that refers to a state of being unwell and lacking energy due to illness or fatigue. One theory suggests that it is derived from the expression "to lie down (or be bedridden) due to illness." It often describes a state of being so weak that one is staggering.

"Gaoru" is a word that is used not only in Fukushima Prefecture, but also in Miyagi Prefecture, Yamagata Prefecture, and parts of Hokkaido. It is difficult to pinpoint where it originated, but it is thought to be one of the words that spread through the movement of people

Example: My wife collapsed due to heat stroke

Q. "Throw"

"nageruin standard Japaneseto throw away. Since "throwing away garbage" is sometimes expressed as "gominage," those hearing it for the first time might be momentarily confused.

Example: Throw away that trash

Q. "Easy"

"Harakucchii" means "full stomach." It seems to be a word commonly used in the northern part of the Nakadori region.

The feeling of fullness is quite high. It is a typical Fukushima scene to hear people say "I'm so full" when they are so full they can't eat anything else

Example: Harakutchiku, mou kuwanniwa (I'm full, I can't eat anymore)

Q. "Gonbohoru"

"Gonbohoru" is a dialect commonly used in Nakadori, and"being stubborn, sulking, or being perverse." it expresses feelings such as

a child becomes silent because things don't go their way, or
because it's commonly used within families and among neighborsa warm, ingrained form of reprimandit's also

Example:
soごんぼほってstubborn, just say it properly.

Furthermore, while "gonbohoru" is used not only in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture but also in Hokkaido and Aomori Prefecture, it is believed that the "gonbohoru" used in the Aizu region may have originated in northern Kanto.

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Fukushima Prefecture Dialect Dictionary: Hamadori Edition

The Hamadori region faces the Pacific Ocean and has many areas with a warm climate. In this area, where many cities and towns are thriving fishing industries, the words and intonations differ slightly between the northern Soma side and the southern Iwaki side

Q. "Odazu"

"Odazu" means "to get carried away" or "to be overconfident." It can sometimes carry the nuance of being pushy or intrusive, and is a word you might hear when someone is admonishing or warning someone.

This word has a harsh nuance, so you may want to be careful not to use it too much

Example: Don't get too cocky!

Q. "Shaanme"

"Shaanme" means "there's nothing we can do about it." It seems to be a word used in Ibaraki Prefecture as well, and it is thought to have spread mainly from Iwaki City due to its connection with the Joban region.

At first glance, it seems like a word that expresses giving up, but it also seems to be used to mean compromise or affirmation, without taking the negative too seriously

Example: It's an old machine, so it can't be helped if it breaks down

Q. "Bunzu"

"Bunzu" refers to a dull, bluish-purple color. It is mainly used in the southern Hamadori region, but also in some areas of Nakadori. There are several theories about its origin, including that it is a corrupted form of "budou-iro" (grape color), or that it is the color of a bruise that appears when you "bump" your body.

Example: I fell and got bruised. (I fell and my bruise is blue-purple.)

Q. "Kugasu"

"Kugasu" is a dialect commonly used in the Hamadori region of Fukushima Prefecture, andtease or make fun of someone it's a word used to
It's especially likely to appear in conversations with people you know well, and it has a somewhat friendly and light nuance. It's not meant to be dismissive or look down on the other person, but rather to mean
"You're being a little too silly" or "You don't have to go that far," anda gentle warning or a humorousis used as

Example: Don't say things like that and tease me

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Fukushima has many interesting dialects!

This time we introduced some Fukushima dialects

It is precisely because of the harsh natural environment that people are able to form strong bonds and that unique communities have developed in each region. The language of Fukushima is a mirror that reflects the history of the region. If you visit Fukushima and talk to someone from Fukushima Prefecture, be sure to listen carefully to the language they use; you may make some fresh discoveries

I would be happy if you could come to love Fukushima, a place with so many warm words

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