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

---

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"

" Gose yakeru " is a word that expresses the state of being angry. Depending on the region, it may be pronounced " gosee yakeru " or " goshe yakeru ." The anger is quite intense. It is used when you feel so angry that you can't sit still, such as when you feel annoyed 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 the interrogative form to ask how someone is doing, such as " How was it? " or " What's wrong? " It is often used in situations where you are concerned about the other person. Therefore, it is a phrase that warms the heart of the person who is told "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"

" -kunansho " is added to the end of a sentence, it means a polite request, like " please do ~ ." It is polite, but not too formal, so it doesn't come across as condescending when you're inviting someone to a place or encouraging them to do something.

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

Q. "Agasuke"

"Agasuke" is a very distinctive dialect used mainly in the Aizu region, and refers to
a naughty, mischievous, or restless child Sometimes it is used with a nuance similar to "naughty brat" or "naughty boy," but it is basically a gentle scolding word with a touch of charm .

Example: You did that again! You're such a naughty boy.

---

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 sick or tired and not feeling well. One theory is that it is an expression derived from "byō ni lyōseru (to lie down by illness)." It is often used to describe someone who is so weak that they are 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"

" Nageru throw away in standard Japanese . "Throwing away trash" can also be expressed as "gominage," so those hearing it for the first time may be confused for a moment.

Example: Throw away that trash

Q. "Easy"

" Harakuchii " means " full stomach ." It seems to be used more often in the northern part of Nakadori.

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 the Nakadori area, and is a word that expresses feelings such as "being stubborn, sulking, or twisted."

It is especially used when a child goes silent because things aren't going their way, it is also a warm-hearted scolding that is somehow rooted in everyday life

Example:
So ni gombo ne de, kai kansho. (Don't be so stubborn, say it properly.)

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

---

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 ." Sometimes it can have the nuance of being pushy, and is a word you will hear when 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 " It can't be helped ." It seems to be a word that is also used in Ibaraki Prefecture, and is thought to have spread mainly through Iwaki City due to its connection with Joban.

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 " means a dull bluish purple. It is used mainly in the southern part of Hamadori, but also in some areas of Nakadori. There are various theories about the origin of the word, including that it is a corrupted version of "budo-iro" (grape color), or that it is the color of a bruise that occurs when you "bump" into something.

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 area of ​​Fukushima Prefecture, and is a word used when
teasing or mocking someone It is particularly likely to appear in conversations with people you are close to, and has a somewhat friendly, light nuance. It is not meant to deny or look down on the other person, but rather
as a gentle warning or humorous remark , such as "You're joking around a bit too much" or "You don't need to go that far."

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

---

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

---