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Dialect comparison

Hokkaido-ben vs Nagoya-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°
Nagoya-ben

Owari dialect

The dialect of Nagoya and the Owari plain. Sits between the Tokyo and Kansai regions and shares features with both, while keeping a distinct vowel inventory.

Spoken in
Approximate centre
35.18°, 136.91°

How to read this comparison

Which one to learn

Start with Hokkaido-ben or Nagoya-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

Open each dialect page for sources, nearby varieties, atlas context, and app availability.

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