なまり
Meanings
accent; regional accent
Refers to a distinctive way of speaking, especially a regional or non-standard accent. Often used when someone's speech reveals their origin.
His speech has a slight Tohoku accent.
The accent was so strong I couldn't understand what he was saying.
Refers to a regional dialect or local variety of language, including vocabulary and grammar differences, not just pronunciation.
This word is part of the Kansai dialect.
If you speak in the local dialect, tourists sometimes can't understand.
corrupted form; mispronunciation
Used for a word form that has changed from the standard, often through mispronunciation or historical sound shifts. Can carry a slightly negative nuance of being 'incorrect'.
The change from 'kowai' to 'koee' is a kind of corrupted form.
This word preserves an old corrupted form.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉の訛りthe accent of a particular region
He has a Kansai accent.
- 訛りがあるto have an accent
There's a slight accent in her Japanese.
- 訛りが強いto have a strong accent
His accent is so strong it's hard to understand.
- 訛りを直すto correct/fix one's accent
I practiced correcting my accent in order to become an announcer.
- 訛りで話すto speak with an accent
My grandfather speaks with a strong accent.
- 訛りが出るfor one's accent to come out (e.g. when relaxed or excited)
My accent comes out when I drink.