Learn Japan in 30-second reels
Real phrases for the konbini, the restaurant, the train — each with romaji and English, ready to use the second you land.
All videos
Beginner
▶
You Made It to the Japanese Clinic. Reception Opens by Asking for a Card You Were Never Going to Have.
nihon no hokenshō wa arimasen · I don't have Japanese insurance
Survival
▶
The Crowd Won't Move for You. One Little Word Makes It Split.
sumimasen, chotto tōshite kudasai · excuse me, could I get through?
Survival
▶
Your Train Just Got Cancelled. One Word Gets Your Money Back.
haraimodoshi dekimasu ka? · Can I get a refund?
Survival
▶
Full Bars, Zero Internet. Here's Exactly What to Say.
tsunagarimasen · It's not connecting.
Survival
▶
You Lost Your Friend in a Festival Crowd. Japanese Has One Word for It.
tomodachi to haguremashita · I got separated from my friend.
Survival
▶
You Loved That Ryokan. 'Thank You' Isn't the Word for Walking Out the Door.
osewa ni narimashita · Thank you for everything you did for me.
Survival
▶
You Drank Too Much in Japan Last Night. The Drugstore Has an Entire Shelf Waiting for You.
futsukayoi no kusuri wa arimasu ka? · Do you have anything for a hangover?
Beginner
▶
Two One Way Tickets in Japan. You Just Paid Extra for the Exact Same Trip.
oufuku de onegai shimasu · Round trip, please.
Beginner
▶
Riding the Subway All Day in Japan? Say This at the Window and Stop Paying Per Ride.
ichinichi jōshaken o kudasai · A one-day pass, please
Survival
▶
Your Shinkansen Ticket Is Actually Two Tickets. The Gate Wants Both.
tokkyūken · limited express ticket (the second ticket)
Survival
▶
Online Says Sold Out. A Window at the Entrance Is Still Selling Tickets for Today.
toujitsuken · a same-day ticket, sold at the window on the day
Beginner
▶
The Phone in Your Karaoke Room Rings. Nobody Told You It Was a Countdown.
enchō dekimasu ka? · Can I extend?
Survival
▶
It Was Cloudless an Hour Ago. Japan Has a Word for the Wall of Water Now Coming Down.
gerira gouu · sudden localized downpour
Survival
▶
Your Train Just Died. Everyone Around You Is Walking to a Rival Railway.
furikae yusou, tsukaemasu ka? · Can I use the substitute transport?
Beginner
▶
Mid August You Walk to That Ramen Shop and It Is Dark. The Whole Street Took the Same Week Off.
obon wa oyasumi desu ka? · Are you closed for Obon?
Survival
▶
You Found Platform 14. You Found Seat 12A. You Are Still About to Miss the Shinkansen.
gōsha · car number
Survival
▶
One Word in the Train Announcement Means Stand Up Now. Everything Else Is Noise.
mamonaku, shibuya desu · We will be arriving at Shibuya shortly.
Survival
▶
You Dropped Your Phone in Tokyo. This Tiny Building Gets It Back.
kouban · neighbourhood police box
Beginner
▶
In Japan the Ramen Shop Is Not Down the Street. It Is on the Seventh Floor.
nangai desu ka · What floor is it on?
Survival
▶
A Stranger in Japan Will Chase You Down the Street to Return a Coin. Here's How to Be That Stranger.
otoshimashita yo · You dropped this.
Beginner
▶
Japanese Flew By Too Fast? Ask Them to Write It Down.
kaite moraemasu ka? · Could you write it down?
Beginner
▶
That Green Paste on Your Sushi Is No Joke. Order It Off Like This.
wasabi nuki de onegai shimasu · Without wasabi, please.
Beginner
▶
All Japanese Menu? This Phrase Picks Your Meal for You
osusume wa arimasu ka · Do you have any recommendations?
Beginner
▶
No Reservation in Tokyo? This Phrase Can Still Get You In.
yoyaku shitai ndesu ga · i'd like to make a reservation
Survival
▶
Feeling Sick in Japan? Know This Phrase Before You Need It
doraggu sutoa wa doko desu ka · Where is the drugstore?
Beginner
▶
Caught in Tokyo Rain? Borrow This Phrase and a Raincoat
kasatte kudasai · Please lend it to me
Survival
▶
Is this spicy?
kore wa karai desu ka? · Is this spicy?
Survival
▶
Still Carrying Yen-less Cash? One Phrase Finds You an Exchange
ryōgae dekimasu ka? · Can I exchange currency here?
Beginner
▶
Where is the transfer to...?
〜 e no norikae wa doko desu ka? · Where is the transfer to 〜?
Survival
▶
Where is the ticket machine?
kenbaiki wa doko desu ka? · Where is the ticket machine?
Survival
▶
Check, Please
okaikei o onegaishimasu · Check, please
Survival
▶
Is this train going to...?
kono densha wa 〜 ni ikimasu ka? · Is this train going to 〜?
Survival
▶
The Great Trash Can Hunt
gomi-bako wa doko desu ka? · where is the trash can?
Survival
▶
Asking for Help Politely
sumimasen, tasukete kudasai · Excuse me, please help me
Survival
▶
I have a reservation
yoyaku shiteimasu · I have a reservation
![I'm From [Country]](/t/videos/tourist-from-country.jpg)
Beginner
▶
I'm From [Country]
amerika kara kimashita · I'm from America
Survival
▶
I'm Lost
michi ni mayoi mashita · I'm lost
Beginner
▶
Where is the Bathroom? (Beginner Version)
otearai wa doko desu ka? · Where is the bathroom?
Survival
▶
Is it open?
eigyou-chuu desu ka? · Is it open?
Survival
▶
I'm looking for...
〜o sagashiteimasu · I'm looking for 〜
Get the free phrasebook
15 essential phrases for your trip — romaji included, zero studying.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.