Japanese word

関西

Pronunciation

Romajikansai

Meaning

  • nounKansai

Example

関西へ旅行したいです。kan sai e ryo kō shi ta i de su

I want to travel to Kansai.

Illustration for 関西 (Kansai)

More examples

私は関西に住んでいます。watashi wa kan sai ni su n de i ma su

I live in Kansai.

Common phrases

  • 関西に住むkan sai ni su mu

    live in Kansai

  • 関西の文化kan sai no bun ka

    Kansai culture

Similar words

近畿kinki: A formal name for a region in western Japan that includes Osaka, Kyoto, and surrounding areas.

Definition in Japanese

京都・大阪・神戸などを中心とする近畿地方一帯の地域。kyō to ō saka kōbe na do o chū shin to su ru kin ki chi hō it tai no chi iki

Word origin

関西 (Kansai) combines 関 (kan, "barrier") and 西 (sai, "west"), referring to the area west of a traditional checkpoint and contrasting with 関東 (Kantō), the area to its east.

Usage tips

  • In English travel writing, Kansai commonly appears in names such as Kansai International Airport and Kansai dialect, linking the word to both travel and regional speech.

Word lists with this word