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Rōmaji
akan
Type
Kansai dialect
Meaning
bad; unacceptable; you can’t/shouldn’t; Don’t do …
Additional Info
This is one of the most crucial words in the Kansai dialect. It’s commonly used as either (1) “verb nai-form ＋ な ＋ あかん”; or (2): verb ta-form ＋ (ら) ＋ あかん
The first usage corresponds to the expression “verb nai form＋ないといけない/ないと駄目だ” in standard Japanese, which means “one has to do/should do …”.
The second usage corresponds to the expression “verb (ta-form) ＋ ら ＋ いけない/だめ” in standard Japanese, which means “It’s bad/unacceptable if you do …”, or “Don’t do …”. In a casual conversation, ら before あかん is often omitted.
Synonym
駄目
Antonym
ええ
Example
(1) verb nai-form ＋ な ＋ あかん
明日 (あした)までに宿題 (しゅくだい)を終わらせなあかんわ
≒ 明日までに宿題を終わらせないといけない
I’ve gotta to finish my homework by tomorrow.
あんた、野菜 (やさい)も食(た)べなあかんよ
≒ 野菜も食べないと駄目だよ
You must eat vegetables as well.
お前(まえ)はもっと勉強(べんきょう)せなあかん
≒お前はもっと勉強しないといけない
You have to study more
(2) verb ta-form ＋ (ら) ＋ あかん
授業中(じゅぎょうちゅう)に寝(ね)たらあかん/寝たあかん
≒ 授業中に寝たら駄目
Don’t sleep during class.
今(いま)ビーチに行(い)ったらあかん/行ったあかん
≒今ビーチに行ったらいけない
Don’t go to the beach now.