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Dialect comparison

Hokkaido-ben vs Kansai-ben

Compare two dialects of Japanese side by side — where they're spoken, what they're called, and how they relate.

Hokkaido-ben

The variety spoken across Hokkaido. A relatively young dialect shaped by 19th-century settlement, mostly close to Standard Japanese but with Tōhoku and coastal influences.

Spoken in
Approximate centre
43.07°, 141.35°
Kansai-ben

Kansai dialect · Kinki dialect · Osaka-ben

The major dialect group of the Kansai region, with Osaka as its modern centre. Strongly distinct from Tokyo Japanese in pitch accent, copula forms, and idiom. Kyoto-ben is treated separately here.

Spoken in
Approximate centre
34.69°, 135.50°

How to read this comparison

Which one to learn

Start with Hokkaido-ben or Kansai-ben based on the community, country, or media you expect to use most.

Mutual understanding

Shared language labels do not guarantee identical speech. Compare country coverage, aliases, and audio where available.

Where to go next

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