🧭 “Onai” = Same Age? That’s Right—in Kansai Style!
“Onai” is a shortened form of “onaidoshi” (同い年), meaning “same age.”
It’s not exactly a dialect word in the strictest sense, but it’s so common in Kansai that it feels like one.
Instead of saying the full phrase, Kansai speakers often say “onai” in casual conversations.
If someone says “onai,” there’s a good chance they’re from western Japan!
🔍 Standard Japanese vs. Kansai Dialect: “Onaidoshi” → “Onai”
🗾 Standard Japanese
✅️ Example
🔸私たち、同い年ですね。(Watashitachi, onaidoshi desu ne.)
➡ We’re the same age, huh?
🔸あの人、私と同い年らしい。(Ano hito, watashi to onaidoshi rashii.)
➡ It seems that person is the same age as me.
🎯 Kansai Dialect
✅️ Example
🔸私ら、おないやんな？(Watashira, onai yanna?)
➡ We’re the same age, huh?
Very Kansai-like!
🔸あの人、うちとおないらしいで〜。(Ano hito, uchi to onai rashii de~.)
➡ It seems that person is the same age as me.
💡 “Onai” is super casual and perfect for friendly chats!
💬 Sample Phrases Using "Onai" in Kansai Dialect
1️⃣ なあなあ、あの芸能人、私とおないらしいで〜。
Nā nā, ano geinōjin, watashi to onai rashii de~.
2️⃣ 私ら、おないやんな？
Watashira, onai yanna?
1️⃣ Hey, that celebrity is apparently the same age as me!
2️⃣ We’re the same age, right?
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