Ibaraki-ben

Carly Bode, International Affairs Division

Ibaraki-ben is one of the less well known dialects of Japan. If you master the dialect you will be called "namatteru," or heavily accented, like many farmers and "obaasans" from around the prefecture.

A

Aonajimi Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Aonajimi あおなじみ
Japanese Aza 痣
Meaning "Aonajimi" is a word used which means a bruise; the standard Japanese being "aza 痣". This word comes from "ao 青," blue, and "najimi　馴染み," meaning a permeation of that color into the skin.

C

Chokkonderu Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Chokkonderu チョッコンデル
Japanese Choshi Koiteru 調子こいてる
Meaning Someone who is "Chokkonderu" has a lot of pride in himself and seems brash, conceited or impudent. The person who notes this might have a complex or strong envy mixed with disdain. In Oarai, a young man is showing off his new surf board and his fancy moves to the girls on the beach. He falls and his friends laugh. “チョウシコンデやってからあいつはケガすんだよ!” Choshikonde yatte kara aitsu wa kega sunndayo! The goof wiped out showing off and hurt himself.

D

Dappe Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Dappe だっぺ
Japanese Deshō / Desu yo ne でしょう・ですよね
Meaning "Dappe" is a corruption of the Japanese clause ending "desho" or "desu yo ne." It is frequently used when wondering to oneself. Its also used when confirming something or gently asserting something as "isn't that right?" is used in English.

E

Eshikei or Ishikei Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Eshikei or Ishikei エシケイ or イシケイ
Japanese Dasai ダサい
Meaning "Eshikei or Ishikei" is a term for things that are lousy, old, uncool or Dassai. A junior high school boy comes rushing home from school almost in tears because a few of the other boys have gotten brand new mountain bikes. He explains his feelings of inferiority to his mother. “母ちゃん、おれのチャリンコがもうエシケがら早く新しいの買ってくれよ！” Kaachan, ore no charinko ga mou eshikei gara, hayaku atarashii no katte kureyo! Mom my bicycle is old. Come one could you please buy me a new one soon?

G

Gojappe Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Gojappe ゴジャッペ
Japanese Goja-goja, tekitō na, ii kagen na ゴジャゴジャ、適当な、いい加減な
Meaning "Gojappe" is an expression for things that are messed up, confused, improper or chaotic. People or situations can be "Gojappe."
Ge & Be Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian -ge & -be 〜げ & 〜べ
Japanese 〜ka & 〜mashō 〜か & 〜ましょう
Meaning "Kū ge" means "will you eat?" while "kū be" means "let's eat" in Ibarakian. You can use "ge" and "be" at the end of other verbs like "iku ge?" meaning "will you go?" and "iku be" meaning "Let's go."

H

Hyakkoi Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Hyakkoi ひゃっこい
Japanese Tsumetai つめたい
Meaning "Hyakkoi" means "tsumetai" in normal Japanese, or cold to the touchIt can be applied to such situations as when perhaps an icy drop of water shoots down the collar of your shirt, or when your bare feet touch the icy kitchen floor on a frosty morning, or when you sit down on a cold toilet seat.

I

Ii yan bai Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Ii yan bai イイヤンバイ
Japanese Ii kanji いい感じ
Meaning "Iiyanbai" is an expression of satisfaction or good condition. Something that is "iiyanbai" feels good or is perfect. Someone who is thinking about the hot bath they just had might say "Kyo no furo no atusa wa iiyanbai da na" or "Ahh, the temperature of today's bath was just right, eh?"
Ijiyakeru Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Ijiyakeru イジヤケル
Japanese Mukatsuku むかつく
Meaning "Ijiyakeru" is something that causes you to be frustrated, upset, or to feel like giving up. Your "iji" or feelings "yakeru" or burn up. For example, you can say "nihongo ga muzukashi-sugite, ijiyakeruna" which would translate as "Japanese is so hard, I want to give up!"

K

Kapporu Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Kapporu カッポル
Japanese Suteru 捨てる
Meaning The local term "kapporu" means to throw something away.
Ke Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Ke け
Japanese Ka か
Meaning "Ke" is used in asking questions, just like "ka" or "nano" are normally. For example, you could say "is that so?" as "sou ke?"
Kowai Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Kowai こわい
Japanese Tsukareta 疲れた
Meaning "Kowai" would mean to most students of Japanese, "scary." However, in Ibaraki it has another meaning of "tsukareta," or tired. Imagine an old lady after a day of work in the rice fields saying "Aa, kowai, kowai" as "Ah, I am soo tired."

O

Osēru Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Osēru おせーる
Japanese Oshieru 教える
Meaning "Oseru" is the Ibaraki version of the word "oshieru," to teach, tell, or show. It is generally used when telling something to a friend or a close acquaintance. For example, two friends might be out shopping and one might say "Ii mise dekita kara osēru yo!" This would mean "There is a cool new shop just opened. I'll show it to you!"

S

Shānme Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Shānme しゃーんめ
Japanese Shō ga nai しょうがない
Meaning "Shanme" is the Ibaraki way of saying "shō ga nai" or in English, "so it goes." It can be used whenever something has to be done even if you don't want to, or when something has gone wrong and it can't be helped. For example a crop failure, a missed bus, too many tourists at Disneyland, jellyfish at the beach, etc.
Shippane Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Shippane 水はね
Japanese Mizuhane 水はね
Meaning "Shippane" is a word for the mud and water that splashes up on your legs when you walk on the side of the road on rainy days. It's not surprising that Ibaraki with all its rice fields and dirt roads has a special word for this condition. You can image an old ojiisan walking down the road exclaiming "Ijaken na. Ichora ni shippane ga agatta yō" or "Damn it, I've got mud all over my Sunday best."
Sokke?! Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Sokke そっけ？！
Japanese Sō desu ka そうですか
Meaning "Sokke?!" takes the places of "sō desu ka" ("oh really?"). You can say this in response to any surprising thought-provoking statement. It is especially handy as a response to comments like "You know, in Ibaraki we speak in a dialect." To make the most of this word, pronounce it with a high inflection on the "ke!"
Suppe Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Suppe すっぺ
Japanese Shimashou しましょう
Meaning "Suppe" means "Let's. . . ." It is used instead of the extremely common "shimasho" and "shiyō." Examples are "Sō suppe," which means "Let's do that." You can say "Dō suppe?" instead of "What should we do?" and "Owari ni suppe" meaning "Let's call it quits."
Sunahataki Rōmaji Kana
Ibarakian Sunahataki 砂はたき
Japanese Otsukaresama お疲れ様
Meaning "Sunahataki" is a phrase found in the southern part of Ibaraki. The people in this district usually use this expression when they have finished something special. For instance, when arriving home after going on a work trip with a group of people, it is customary in this region to go out and eat and drink together to try and form closer friendships with work colleagues. At times like this people say "sunahataki suppe," which means "otsukaresama お疲れ様" in standard Japanese, or "Thank you for all your hard work."