What is Fukuoka dialect? Summary of the characteristics of Hakata dialect

Wed, Apr 10, 2024 / Fukuoka, Japan

It is cute when women use it! Hakata-ben has become popular nationwide in recent years. However, when used by men, it can give an image of being crass and scary, or it can be taken to mean the wrong thing.... In this article, the author, a native and resident of Hakata, will introduce the correct understanding of the Hakata dialect and the meanings of commonly used phrases.

What are you doing?

What are you doing?" Meaning of.
Use this when you want to ask what the other person is doing right now.
Pointing out when the other person makes a mistake, "What are you doing!" is "What are you doing!" is aggressive, while "What are you doing? has a softer tone.

What's going on?

What's wrong?" Meaning of.
It is used when the person seems to be in poor health or there seems to be some other circumstance.
It sounds blunt when used by men, but it is a kind word that shows concern for the other person!

Totto?"

Do you have it? Do you have it?" Meaning of.
It is one of the interesting dialects often introduced in the media.
Used to ask if the person is keeping things instead of throwing them away.
When you ask a person with whom you are close at work if he/she has kept the documents, you tend to say in Hakata-ben keigo, "Are you keeping those? When asking if they have kept the documents, we tend to use the Hakata-ben keigo, which is a polite way of saying "I'm keeping it.

"I'm just getting started."

Meaning "That's true, but..."
In fact, this is the Hakata dialect I wanted to introduce the most.
This is a dialect from the English "So but then".
Hakata has been active in trade since ancient times. The port served as a window to the continent, and many foreign merchants came in and out of the port, which is why English has become a dialect.
It is a romantic dialect.

I'm coming over right now."

It means, "I'm on my way."
In Hakata dialect, "going" is often also called "coming".
So we find ourselves saying, "What? Which one is coming?!" and often get flustered....
Habits are hard to change.

I don't understand.

Meaning "I have no idea."
The tone is aggressive, and in standard Japanese it feels very negative, but the phrase is used casually when a problem cannot be solved in Hakata dialect or when the other party's intentions cannot be understood.
It is simply used at the level of "I don't understand this part.
So, when you hear these words, do not be depressed because you are not being totally rejected.

"Sha-sha-sha!"

It means, "Oh, shut up."
It is used when you enter a restaurant where talking is noisy, or when you hear noisy noises.
Often used by men, women (and some men) often soften the ending with "shaashii ne".
When the word ends in "ka", you may be a little surprised because it sounds aggressive, but rest assured that unless you are yelling at someone, you are not shouting, "Shut up! Unless you are yelling at them, they are not yelling "Shut up!

"Seat me!"

It means "annoying" or "noisy."
It is used not only in Hakata, but also in northern Kyushu in general.
It is similar in meaning to "shaashika-", but this one comes from "haste", and is used for people or things that are loitering around you.
It is used by relatively older people, and most younger generations find it annoying.
Influence of many elderly people around. I still use it.
As with "shaaashika-", the ending may be softened to "sekarashika-nei".

"Shiroshika."

It means "I'm so annoyed."
However, I did not know what this meant until I was an adult.
Today, only a few older people may use it.

"Bali."

Means "very much."
It is used in conjunction with adjectives such as "bari-umaka- (very tasty, very skillful)" and "bari-yoka- (very good)".
In terms of nuance, it is even higher than the standard "very" word, so if you receive a compliment using this word, you should be pleased.
Be careful when using it in the opposite sense, such as "I hate Bali" (Bali kokan), as it is quite demoralizing.

I don't know what to say.

It means, "You can't."
It is used as in "Sorekushikiranmon" or "Yakyuushikiranmon."
The "mon" part sounds so cute when a woman says it.
Although the tone is a bit strong, it may be a dialect that expresses the characteristics of Hakatans, who believe it is reasonable to clearly state things for the benefit of others.

"A hungry man?"

Are you mad at me?" Meaning of.
It sounds as if we are offended, but it is used to express impatience and concern for our feelings, as if to say, "Oh no, I may have offended you! It is used to express impatience and concern for the person concerned.
So don't flinch, but if you are angry, reply "yes" to convey your intentions.

Hakata Dialect Summary

Because it is pronounced clearly, the overall tone is strong, but if you explore the meaning, it is nothing more than an everyday conversational phrase. The Hakata dialect is full of the sophistication, pride, and warmth of Hakata people. The power and softness of the Hakata dialect are completely different from the lines spoken by actors on TV. When you visit Hakata for sightseeing or on a business trip, why don't you at least learn a few phrases and enjoy the warmth of the authentic Hakata dialect?