The standard Japanese sentence ending か(な), used in questions and strong negatives, may become かい(な) in Kansai-ben. かいな is also used as in back-channel? communication (aizuchi) and imperatives.
Common uses:
Grammar elements:
Kansai vs. Standard:
| Standard | ＿＿＿か(な) |
|---|---|
| Kansai-ben | ＿＿＿かい(な) |
Formation:
| ＿＿+(ん)+かい(な) |
Formation from standard:
Example:
| Standard | あいつ、ほんとうにどこ行ったのかな。 |
|---|---|
| Kansai-ben | あいつ、ほんまにどこ行ったんかいな。 |
| English | Where on earth did she go? |
| Standard | お父さんがそんな事許すものか。 |
|---|---|
| Kansai-ben | お父ちゃんがそんな事許すかい(な)。 |
| English | There is no way that my dad is going to forgive me. |
| Standard | こんなまずい飯、食えるか！ |
|---|---|
| Kansai-ben | こんなまずい飯、食えるかい！ |
| English | There is no way I'm going to eat food this nasty. |
| Standard | そうかあ。 |
|---|---|
| Kansai-ben | そうかい(な)。 |
| English | [eye contact, bobbing of head] |
| Standard | もっと早く起きないか。また遅刻だぞ。 |
|---|---|
| Kansai-ben | もっと早よ起きんかいな。また遅刻やぞ。 |
| English | You should be getting up earlier. You're going to be late again. |
Commentary:
Differences in meaning depending on accent
The meaning of かいな can change depending on the accent.
[↓]
[↓]
L = low pitch?
H = high pitch
Once more, with feeling
かいな without な can strengthen the feeling.