Kansai Dialect Mini-Lesson #9

What does “Nankin なんきん” mean?

🌐 Language:繁体字 | 日本語

In Kansai, “nankin” doesn’t refer to Nanjing, China—it actually means pumpkin!
If you see “nankin no nimono” (南瓜の煮物) on a menu, don’t expect Chinese cuisine—it’s just a delicious simmered pumpkin dish 🎃

kansai dialect-9 nankin

🧭 “Nankin”? Not the city—it’s pumpkin!

You might think “nankin” refers to Nanjing, the Chinese city—but in Kansai dialect, it means kabocha, or pumpkin.
This word appears often on menus in Kansai restaurants: dishes like nankin tempura or nankin stew are local favorites.
If you’re unfamiliar with Kansai dialect, this term might surprise you!

Kansai DialectConversation-nankin

🔍 Standard Japanese vs Kansai Dialect: When Pumpkin Isn’t Just “Kabocha”

🗾 Standard Japanese

✅️ Example

🔸かぼちゃの煮物が好きです。(Kabocha no nimono ga suki desu.)
I like pumpkin stew.

🔸かぼちゃって甘くておいしいよね。(Kabocha tte amakute oishii yo ne.)
Pumpkin is sweet and tasty.

🎯 Kansai Dialect

✅️ Example

🔸なんきんの炊いたん好きやねん。(Nankin no taitan suki ya nen.)
I love simmered pumpkin!

🔸なんきん、甘うてうまいな〜。(Nankin, amāte umai na~.)
➡ Nankin is so sweet and delicious!

💡 In Kansai, “nankin” is just a friendly and nostalgic way to say “pumpkin.” Don’t confuse it with a place name!

💬 Sample Phrases Using "Nankin" in Kansai Dialect

Kansai Dialect

1️⃣ 今日のおかず、なんきんの炊いたんやで。
 Kyō no okazu, nankin no taitan ya de.

2️⃣おばあちゃんのなんきん、めっちゃうまいねん。
 Obāchan no nankin, meccha umai nen.
3️⃣メニューの“なんきんの天ぷら”って…南京の料理ちゃうやん!
 Menyū no “nankin no tenpura” tte… Nankin no ryōri chau yan!

English Translation

1️⃣ Today’s side dish is simmered pumpkin.

2️⃣ Grandma’s pumpkin dish is seriously delicious.

3️⃣ “Nankin tempura” on the menu? That’s not Chinese food!

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