方言
hōgen[ho̞ːɡẽ̞ɴ]
The Japanese word for "dialect" is 方言 (hōgen). If unsure, use 方言. Wiktionary also lists -弁 (-ben).
Meaning: particular variety of a language (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 方言 | hōgen | [ho̞ːɡẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) | |
| -弁 | -ben | suffix |
方言 is a noun used to refer to a particular variety of a language. It is often used in contrast to 標準語 (hyōjungo), which refers to the standard language used in media and formal settings.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 方言 is composed of the characters 方 (hō), meaning direction or way and 言 (gen), meaning speech or words.
Which one should you use?
While 方言 is the general noun for a dialect, you can also use the suffix -弁 (-ben) to specify a particular dialect. For example, you can attach it to a region name, such as in 関西弁 (Kansai-ben) to mean the Kansai dialect.
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix -弁 can be attached to the name of a specific region or language to denote its dialect.
How do you pronounce it?
hōgen
Did you know?
- Some highly specific regional varieties are referred to as 琉球語 (Ryūkyūgo) in historical contexts, though many linguists now classify them as distinct languages rather than mere dialects of Japanese.
- During the Meiji era, the government actively suppressed 方言 in schools to create a unified national identity through 標準語.
- There are 'pseudo-dialects' where people use -弁 endings to sound cute or friendly even if they are not from that region.
Examples in context
- もし、ネイティブ・スピーカーのように発音したければ、「１つの方言」に絞り、練習をしましょう。ネイティブは、たくさんの方言を日常会話で使いこなすことはありません。If you want to sound like a native speaker, it's easier if you choose one dialect and stick with it. Native speakers don't usually mix dialects in everyday speaking.This sentence is useful for showing how to use the word 方言 when discussing language practice.Tatoeba #10094324 by h_aibe, translation #953960 by CK
- 日本にはたくさんの方言があります。There are many dialects in Japan.
- 彼女の方言は非常に興味深いです。Her dialect is very interesting.
- 彼のなまりがかわいいですね！His dialect is cute, isn't it?
- 埼玉のなまりはとても面白いです。The dialect in Saitama is very interesting.
- この地域の方言はとても面白いです。Kono chiiki no hougen wa totemo omoshiroi desu.The dialect of this region is very interesting.
- 祖父は強い方言を使います。Sofu wa tsuyoi hougen o tsukaimasu.My grandfather uses a strong dialect.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are talking about their hometowns.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんは、方言を使いますか。Yui-san wa, hougen o tsukaimasu ka.Yui, do you use a dialect?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、たまに京都の方言が出ます。Hai, tama ni Kyouto no hougen ga demasu.Yes, sometimes my Kyoto dialect comes out.
- 健太 Kentaそれはとてもいいですね。Sore wa totemo ii desu ne.That is very nice.
- 結衣 Yui健太さんは方言を話せますか。Kenta-san wa hougen o hanasemasu ka.Can you speak a dialect, Kenta?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dialect” translations and entries 方言, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
