Today, I’d like to introduce you to some dialects from Aomori Prefecture! (∩´∀｀)∩ Yay!

Do you know where Aomori is? It’s a nature-filled rural area located just south of the famous Hokkaido. If you don’t have a car, it can be a bit inconvenient to live here (although some people do manage without one…).

In Aomori, there are two main dialects: Tsugaru-ben and Nanbu-ben.
Tsugaru-ben is spoken in the western part of Aomori, and Nanbu-ben in the eastern part.
They are completely different from each other, which makes them quite difficult for me to understand! The accents and vocabulary are entirely different.

Tsugaru-ben (Western Aomori)

• Kepparu be! – Let’s do our best! / Let’s hang in there!

• Waa mo kaa dee de♪ – Let me join too♪
  (You’d say this when you want to join in with a group of friends or family.)

• Ahh, azumashi naa – Ah, this feels so nice / This is so relaxing
  (Used when soaking in a hot spring or sitting on a comfy sofa after a long day.)

Nanbu-ben (Eastern Aomori)

• Tsuzu – Used for words like “governor,” “cheese,” and “map” (instead of the standard pronunciations)

• Dasuke, hore, itta be – See, I told you so!

• A: Dosa? – Where are you going?
  B: Yusa. – To the hot springs.

What do you think?

Some Japanese people associate Tohoku dialects with the countryside and might see them as “old-fashioned” or “uncool,” but I think they sound really fun and unique. I’d love to introduce even more Tsugaru and Nanbu expressions someday!