Welcome, Japanese learners! The speech of Japan’s former capital has a unique flavor. While part of the Kansai dialect family, Kyō-kotoba (京言葉, きょうことば) is famous for its elegance, politeness, and musical sound. It reflects a city rich in tradition and culture.
Kyō-kotoba is softer and more indirect than Osaka’s energetic dialect. This guide introduces the dialect’s graceful nuances. You’ll learn its key vocabulary and polite grammar, which make it so fascinating.
Characteristics of Kyō-kotoba
Kyō-kotoba sounds gentle and refined. It’s known for long vowels and a soft, melodic flow. Historically, it was the language of the Imperial Court. People still associate it with geisha districts (花街, かがい, kagai) and traditional arts. A key feature is its indirectness. This roundabout way of speaking is a form of politeness (上品, じょうひん, jōhin).
Elegant Grammar and Sentence Endings
The dialect’s politeness shines through its distinctive grammar. This is especially true for its sentence endings.
— Language Corner: The Gentle Copula (is/am/are) —
Standard Japanese uses です (desu). Traditional Kyō-kotoba uses the softer どす (dosu).
Standard: 今日はいい天気ですね。(Kyō wa ii tenki desu ne.) – “It’s nice weather today, isn’t it?”
Kyoto: 今日はええお天気どすなぁ。(Kyō wa ee otenki dosu nā.)
— Language Corner: The Respectful ～はる (-haru) —
A defining feature of Kyō-kotoba is the ～はる (-haru) verb ending. It’s a “soft honorific” that shows respect without the stiffness of standard keigo.
Standard: 先生が来ます。(Sensei ga kimasu.) – “The teacher is coming.”
Kyoto: 先生が来はる。(Sensei ga koharu.)
Standard: 何をしていますか？ (Nani o shiteimasu ka?) – “What are you doing?”
Kyoto: 何してはりますか？ (Nani shiteharimasu ka?)
Quintessential Kyoto Vocabulary
Kyō-kotoba has beautiful, unique words. You likely won’t hear them elsewhere in Japan.
— Language Corner Kyoto Words —
おいでやす (oideyasu) / おこしやす (okoshiyasu) – These are traditional Kyoto words for “Welcome.” Use oideyasu for regular visitors. The more formal okoshiyasu is for new or honored guests.
おおきに (ōkini) – This is the classic Kansai word for “Thank you.” It’s also used in Osaka, but it feels perfect in traditional Kyoto shops.
かんにん (kannin) – This replaces ごめんなさい (gomen nasai). It’s a softer way to say “I’m sorry” or “Pardon me.”
あきまへん (akimahen) – The Kyoto version of だめです (dame desu). It means “That won’t do,” but it sounds more gentle.
ほかす (hokasu) – This is the local word for 捨てる (suteru), meaning “to throw away.”
The Sound of Kyoto
The true magic of Kyō-kotoba is in hearing it. It carries history and grace. After all, the city has been Japan’s cultural heart for a millennium. Listen for these polite phrases and soft sounds. It will connect you more deeply to the city.
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