Hokkaido Dialect Secrets: Throwing, Namara & Shitakke【Ep.1-3】

Introduction

Hello! I'm Keigo. If you are from the US, "Chips" are crispy snacks. But in the UK, "Chips" are hot French fries. Same word, different meaning. Confusing, right?

Japan has these traps too. The word is "Nageru". Your textbook says: "To throw" (like a baseball). But in my hometown, Hokkaido, "Nageru" means something completely different: "To discard" or "To throw in the trash".

In this 3-part series, we're learning more than just words. We're learning the spirit and emotion behind Hokkaido's dialect. Because language isn't just information—it's emotion. It's connection. It's belonging.

📖 Contents of This Article

1. Episode 1: Throwing a Pen? — The Real Meaning of "Nageru" in Hokkaido
2. Episode 2: Namara Cold — How to Express Emotion with "Namara"
3. Episode 3: Shitakke! — The Warmest Goodbye of Hokkaido

Episode 1: Throwing a Pen? — The Real Meaning of "Nageru" in Hokkaido

The Dangerous Language Trap

Imagine this scenario. You're in a Sapporo office. Your boss hands you a pen.

> Your boss: "Keigo san, nagete" (Throw it)

> You: "Yes, of course!"

If you follow the textbook...

> WHOOSH! You pitch the pen across the room like a fastball!

Your boss gets angry. "What are you doing?!"

He just wanted you to put it in the trash bin.

Standard Japanese vs. Hokkaido Dialect

Standard Japanese (Tokyo): "Nageru" = "To throw" (in the air, like a ball)

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Example: 「野球でボールを投げます」

(I throw a baseball)

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Hokkaido Dialect: "Nageru" = "To discard" / "To throw in the trash"

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Example: 「ペンをなげて」

(Put that pen in the trash)

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Why Location Matters

Language changes with location:

Don't pitch the pen. Bin it. Understanding these local codes will save you from cultural accidents.

Practice Question ①

What does "nageru" really mean in each situation?

1. In Tokyo, your boss says: "Nagete kore" → What does he want?
2. In Hokkaido, your friend says: "Kono kuzzu o nagete" → What does he want?

Answers:

1. In Tokyo: "Throw this" (in the air - potential accident!)
2. In Hokkaido: "Discard this" (in the trash - what he really means)

Episode 2: Namara Cold — How to Express Emotion with "Namara"

The "Totemo" Problem

You've learned: "Totemo" = "Very"

"It is very good." "It is very cold." Perfect grammar...

But it sounds like a robot.

In real English, you don't say "Very good." You say:

• "Awesome!"
• "Insane!"
• "Wicked!"

You need words with energy. Words with heart.

The Levels of "Very" in Japanese

Japanese has an emotional intensity scale:

The Real Hokkaido Experience

Imagine. You're skiing in Niseko, Hokkaido. Winter. -10°C.

If you say: "Totemo samui desu" (It is very cold), nobody reacts. Nobody feels it.

But locals shout like this:

> "Uaaah! NAMARA SAMUI!"

(It's insanely, brutally cold!)

The difference:

• "Totemo" = Correct information, no soul
• "NAMARA" = Real emotion, real connection

Using "Namara" in Real Life

Imagine you're at a ramen restaurant in Hokkaido. The chef hands you a perfect bowl.

What do you say?

Option A (Textbook Japanese):

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"Totemo oishii desu"

(It is very delicious)

→ Chef: "Thank you" (flat response)

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Option B (Real Japanese - Hokkaido):

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"NAMARA OISHII!"

(It's insanely delicious!!)

→ Chef: "Oh! This guy understands Japan!"

(He treats you like a friend, not a tourist)

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The Magic of Language

Language is not just information. Language is emotion. Connection. Belonging.

When you use "NAMARA," you tell the local:

• "I understand your place"
• "I respect your culture"
• "I want to belong here"

Episode 3: Shitakke! — The Warmest Goodbye of Hokkaido

The Problem With "Sayonara"

Stop saying "Sayonara" to your friends. It sounds like:

> "Goodbye forever"

Too heavy. Too dramatic. Like a movie farewell.

In Hokkaido, we have something better. Softer. Warmer. More intimate.

What Does "Shitakke" Mean?

"Shitakke" (したっけ) originally means "So..." or "Then..." But in real life, it becomes "See you later, buddy!"

The Logic Behind the Word

How does "Then" become "Goodbye"?

It's the Japanese way of leaving the sentence incomplete:

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Full thought: "Well, then I'm going..."

What we say: "Then..."

Result: "Shitakke!" (Then!)

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It's like in English: "Right then!" (implying you're leaving) = goodbye

Two Uses of "Shitakke"

#### Use 1: Connecting conversations

> A: "The cinema is far"

> B: "Shitakke, let's take a taxi"

> (So, let's take a taxi)

#### Use 2: Warm goodbye

> A: "That was fun today!"

> B: "Yeah, totally!"

> A: "Shitakke!"

> B: "Shitakke ne!"

Practice: The Hokkaido Goodbye

Let's practice. Friends in Hokkaido:

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Friend A: "That was amazing!"

Friend B: "Right? So much fun!"

Friend A: "Shitakke!" (See ya!)

Friend B: "Shitakke ne!" (See you soon!)

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Note: The "ne" (ね) at the end adds warmth. It's like asking "right?" Makes it feel friendlier, more intimate.

Comparison Table

Practice Question ③

You're leaving a party in Hokkaido. Complete the dialogue:

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A: "That was incredible"

B: "Really, so much fun"

A: "_" (Hokkaido goodbye)

B: "_" (Friendly response)

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Expected Answer:

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A: "Shitakke!"

B: "Shitakke ne!"

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Summary: The Spirit of Hokkaido in 3 Words

The Hokkaido series is complete. You've learned 3 different words, but they all teach one lesson:

"Be local. Don't be a textbook robot."

Language is not just correct grammar. Language is emotional connection.

If you learn like a textbook, you sound robotic. If you learn the heart behind the words, you sound like you belong.

▶️ Watch the video for this article: [YouTube link here]

🎓 Want to Learn More?

On YouTube, I teach you the rules. On Preply, I teach you real life.

Hokkaido, Tokyo, Osaka... each region has its own personality. On Preply we practice:

• When to use each word
• How to sound natural, not robotic
• The stories behind each word
• How to connect with real Japanese people

Shitakke, see you on Preply!

👉 Book your free trial lesson now

I'm waiting for you!

Shitakke ne! Chao chao! 👋✨