Japanese with Manga

Hurrying is no good with あかん

Vocabulary Explanation: Vocabulary in the Kansai dialect

Manga panel from レンタルおにいちゃん showing example of Hurrying is no good with あかん.
レンタルおにいちゃん » Volume 2 » Page 122

After transferring schools, Daigo tries to become friends with everyone. However, Makoto repeated ignores Daigo before finally saying not to talk to him. The other classmates tell Daigo not to bother with Makoto.

大五(だいご):
「まだまだこっから…！」
“There's still a long way to go.”
「焦(あせ)ったらあかん」
“If I hurry it's no good.”

Key Points

1あかん is Kansai-flavored “no good”
  • 焦(あせ)ったらあかん means “if I rush, that is no good”.
  • In standard Japanese, ダメ would give a similar meaning.
2焦ったら sets a warning condition
  • 焦(あせ)る means to get impatient or rush.
  • 〜たら makes it “if/when I get impatient”.
3The line is self-encouragement
  • Daigo says まだまだこっから, telling himself there is still a long way to go.
  • あかん helps him slow down rather than give up.
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