Japanese with Manga

Vocabulary in the

Kansai speakers use regional words that manga writers use to establish a character as being from the area. This page introduces common examples, including あかん, the Kansai counterpart to ダメ for something unacceptable or no good.

Kansai dialect differs from standard Tokyo Japanese in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Manga often use recognizable Kansai words to establish where a character is from.

あかん is often used in place of ダメ. It carries the same meaning of “no” or “not good”.

Examples

Being at my limit is no good with あかん

Learn the meaning and usage of the vocabulary Kansai dialect in Japanese, with examples from manga.
名探偵コナン » Volume 12 » Page 125

At a special event, the expected host doesn’t show for dinner. After finishing their meals, the guests continue to wait until past midnight. As most guests decide to retire to their rooms for the night, Heiji finds himself yawning.

平次(へいじ):
「あかんオレももう限界(げんかい)や…」
“No good, I'm also already at my limit...”

Following after is bad with あかん

Learn the meaning and usage of the vocabulary Kansai dialect in Japanese, with examples from manga.
ARIA The MASTERPIECE » Volume 2 » Page 129

Alicia and Akari visit an island that’s modeled after part of Japan back on Earth. There, an elderly local woman tells the two of the fox spirits that visit the human world there. Akari is excited at the prospect of meeting one, but the old woman gives her a warning: on rare occasion, a fox will take a person back home with them.

おばあさん:
「神(かみ)さまの世界(せかい)と人間(にんげん)の世界(せかい)は違(ちが)うやさかい」
“The god world and the human world are different.”
「連(つ)れて行(い)かれたらあかん」
“Therefore, it is bad to follow along.”

Hurrying is no good with あかん

Learn the meaning and usage of the vocabulary Kansai dialect in Japanese, with examples from manga.
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.”