Welcome, Japanese learners! The speech of Japan’s vast northeastern region has a famously warm and rustic flavor. Tōhoku-ben (東北弁, とうほくべん) is a family of dialects, best known by its nickname “Zūzū-ben” (ズーズー弁). It reflects a region known for its harsh, beautiful nature, deep traditions, and resilient, warm-hearted people.
Tōhoku-ben can sound very gentle and is famously difficult for other Japanese speakers to understand, quite different from the sharp sound of Hiroshima. This guide introduces the dialect’s warm nuances. You’ll learn its key vocabulary and famous grammar, which make it so distinctive and charming.
Characteristics of Tōhoku-ben
Tōhoku-ben sounds warm and is famously ‘muffled.’ This is the “Zūzū-ben” characteristic. It’s known for its unique intonation and the merging of certain vowel and consonant sounds. For example, the sounds for ‘shi’ (し) and ‘su’ (す), or ‘ji’ (じ) and ‘zu’ (ず), often sound the same. Similarly, the ‘i’ and ‘u’ vowels can merge. This isn’t unclear speech, but a different phonetic system that creates a feeling of gentle warmth (暖かさ, あたたかさ, atatakasa).
Warm Grammar and Famous Sentence Endings
The dialect’s charm and rustic sound shine through its distinctive grammar. This is especially true for its famous sentence endings.
— Language Corner: The ‘Let’s Go’ Ender ～べ (be) / ～っぺ (ppe) —
This is one of the most iconic Tōhoku features. To say “let’s do…” or to invite someone, Tōhoku-ben drops ～ましょう (mashō) for the friendly ～べ (be) or ～っぺ (ppe).
Standard: 帰りましょう。(Kaerimashō.) – “Let’s go home.”
Tōhoku: けえっぺ。(Keeppe.)
Standard: 明日、行こうよ。(Ashita, ikō yo.) – “Let’s go tomorrow.”
Tōhoku: 明日、行ぐべ。(Ashita, igu be.)
— Language Corner: The All-Purpose んだ (nda) and ～さ (sa) —
Standard Japanese uses そうです (sō desu) for “that’s right.” Tōhoku-ben uses the incredibly common んだ (nda) for agreement. The particle ～さ (sa) is attached to sentences like よ (yo) for light emphasis.
Standard: そうですね。(Sō desu ne.) – “That’s right, isn’t it.”
Tōhoku: んだんだ。(Nda nda.)
Standard: 寒いです。(Samui desu.) – “It’s cold.”
Tōhoku: 寒いさ。(Samui sa.)
— Language Corner: Questions with ～け？ (ke?) —
Instead of just a rising intonation, Tōhoku-ben often adds ～か (ka) or ～け (ke) to form questions, similar to standard Japanese but with a unique, gentle intonation.
Standard: 何をしているの？ (Nani o shiteiru no?) – “What are you doing?”
Tōhoku: なにしとるけ？ (Nani shitoru ke?)
Standard: 食べましたか？ (Tabemashita ka?) – “Did you eat?”
Tōhoku: 食ったか？ (Kutta ka?) or けったか？ (Kettaka?)
Quintessential Tōhoku Vocabulary
Tōhoku-ben has charming, unique words. You’ll hear them all over the northern part of Honshu.
— Language Corner Tōhoku Words —
めんこい (menkoi) – Replaces 可愛い (kawaii). This is a famous Tōhoku word for “cute” or “adorable.” 「この犬、めんこいな。」 (Kono inu, menkoi na.) – “This dog is so cute.”
しゃっこい (shakkoi) / はっこい (hakkoi) – Replaces 冷たい (tsumetai). It means “cold to the touch,” perfect for a snowy region. 「水がしゃっこい！」 (Mizu ga shakkoi!) – “The water is freezing!”
なして (nashite) – This replaces なぜ (naze) or どうして (dōshite). It’s the local way to ask “Why?” 「なして来なかった？」 (Nashite konakatta?) – “Why didn’t you come?”
どさ (dosa) / ゆさ (yusa) – Replaces どこ (doko) or どこへ (doko e). “Where / Where to.” 「どさ行ぐべ？」 (Dosa igu be?) is a classic phrase: “Where should we go?”
いずい (izui) – A famously untranslatable word. It describes a feeling of being uncomfortable, or when something “doesn’t fit right,” like an object in your eye or a sock that’s bunched up. 「目にゴミが入っていずい。」 (Me ni gomi ga haitte izui.) – “I have dust in my eye and it feels wrong/uncomfortable.”
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