How do you address people in Tsugaru dialect? We explain dialectal terms like "odo," "oga," and "appa," including family names and first-person pronouns

Hana Odagiri
2026.04.03

Tsugaru dialect is often said to be one of those dialects that people say, "I can't understand what they're saying." But if you look at the words that are actually used, you'll find that they're surprisingly simple and many of them are familiar

What's particularly interesting is the way people address each other. The way people refer to family, friends, themselves, and others retains distinctly Tsugaru-style expressions. You might even recognize many of these words, but not know their meanings

This article will focus on Tsugaru dialect terms of addressing people, from family members like "odo" and "oga" to personal pronouns like "wa" and "na."

What kind of language is Tsugaru dialect? Let's start with a rough overview

Traffic safety slogans in Tsugaru dialect

Even within Aomori Prefecture, the dialects of Tsugaru and Nanbu are quite different. The intonation and vocabulary are very distinctive, and sometimes people who hear it for the first time say it doesn't sound like Japanese

However, if you look at each aspect individually, it's not that difficult. In fact, many instances simply involve shortening words or combining sounds, so once you get used to it, you'll start to understand Tsugaru dialect

The way they address their family members is too unique

Tsugaru dialect has quite a variety of ways to address family members. Moreover, there isn't just one set way of addressing them; it's characterized by subtle differences depending on the family and region

Odo (father)

"Odo" means father. However, it can also refer to older men, so it's not a strict distinction between "odo" and "oyaji" (old man). It's best to determine the meaning from the context

Totcha (father)

"Toccha" is also a word that refers to one's father, and it has a slightly softer connotation than "odo." It can be used for people outside of the family as well, and you often hear phrases like "that toccha over there."

Oga (mother)

"Oga" means mother. However, it can also refer to an older woman, not just a mother. It can also be used with a nuance similar to grandmother, so it's a word with a bit of versatility

Mom

"Katcha" is also used to mean mother. The "Isaba no Katcha" from Hachinohe is famous, but this word is often used not only for family members but also for other reasons

Appa/Accha (mother)

"Appa" and "accha" are also words that refer to mother, and this is an area where differences from family to family tend to show. It's quite common for people to use different words even within the same region

There are many variations in how you address your grandparents

There are various ways to refer to grandparents

Grandfather

Jikko, jiji, and jiccha all mean grandfather. "Jikko" is used softly, "jiji" is a bit rougher, and "jiccha" is somewhere in between. Which one to use depends on the family, but all of them are generally understood

Grandma

"Baccha" and "baba" both mean grandmother. The usage of these terms varies from family to family

What's a little strange here is that while there are several variations of "grandfather," such as "jikko," "jiji," and "jiccha," you don't hear the corresponding term "bakko" very often. It does seem strange when you think about it, but what's interesting is that in reality, people tend to settle on "baccha" or "baba."

Aba Oga (elderly woman)

The terms "aba" and "oga" can refer not only to grandmothers but also to older women in general. Often, the context and relationship between the person being referred to become clear naturally

There are also terms of address for siblings and those in positions of authority

It's not widely known, but there are also different ways to address siblings

Older brother (eldest son)

"Ani" is a word that refers to the eldest son or older brother. It's not a word that's used frequently in everyday conversation, but the existence of such expressions is characteristic of the Tsugaru dialect

Onzu (second son)

Onzu is the second son. It's a simple yet easy-to-understand way of referring to a child, as it directly reflects their birth order

How do you refer to yourself and others? Tsugaru dialect personal pronouns

The Tsugaru dialect has distinctive features not only in how family members are addressed, but also in how one refers to oneself and others

Wa (me)

"Wa" means "I," and is used by both men and women. It's such a common word that it's practically synonymous with Tsugaru dialect

Na (you)

"Na" is a word that refers to you. It is often used when speaking to someone you are close to, and it has a slightly casual feel to it. Incidentally, it changes to "nando" in the plural form, so you might be a little confused at first

Keyagu (friend)

"Keyagu" means friend. It's often used for someone you have a closer relationship with than just an acquaintance, and the word itself has a warm feeling to it. It's also interesting that when it becomes plural, it changes to "keyagundo," and suddenly loses its Japanese-sounding quality

Here's how it's actually used (conversation example)

In actual conversations, these kinds of words are used naturally, mixed together

Conversation with family

"
Mom, I'm hungry."

"
Well then, shall we make something with the vegetables that the old lady at that house gave us?"

Conversation with a friend

"Hey,
where are we going today?" (*The "Na" here is not a form of address, but means "you.")

"I'm going to play
with my friends."

You can see how just a slight change in sound can instantly give it a Tsugaru feel

Tsugaru dialect is difficult but addictive

Tsugaru dialect is often said to be difficult, but if you look at each word individually, it's surprisingly simple and consists of words deeply rooted in daily life. In particular, the way people address each other directly reflects the sense of distance and relationships within the region. It's also interesting how the nuance changes depending on how the same word is used

It's difficult to understand everything at once, but as you gradually grasp it, it suddenly becomes incredibly interesting. It's a word with that kind of charm