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.
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Survival
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The Whole Platform Stepped Back at the Same Second. Nobody Looked Up.
osagari kudasai · please step back
Survival
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Everyone in the Carriage Turned at Once. The Announcement Had Just Told Them Which Door Opens.
o-deguchi wa migigawa desu · The doors will open on the right.
Survival
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When a Japanese Shop Starts Playing This Song, You Are Being Asked to Leave.
heiten · closing for the day
Survival
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You're on the Right Train. You're in the Wrong Half of It.
kirihanashi · uncoupling: this train splits here
Survival
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You Won the Plastic Bag Argument. Now the Cashier Is Holding a Strip of Tape and Waiting.
tēpu de yoroshii desu ka? · Is tape okay? (instead of a bag)
Survival
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Even Japanese People Cannot Make Out What That Sushi Chain Announcement Says. Two Words in It Mean the Next Plate Is Yours.
mamonaku go-chūmon no shina ga tōchaku itashimasu · Your order will be arriving shortly.
Survival
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The Waiter Came Back, Said One Short Phrase, and Is Now Just Standing There.
mada desu · not yet (I need another minute)
Survival
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Money's In, You Can't Read a Single Button. This One Gets It Back.
torikeshi · cancel
Survival
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Fourteen Exits, One Giant Map, and You Can't Find Yourself On It.
genzaichi · you are here (current location)
Survival
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Your Train Is On the Board and It Is Not Going to Stop. Two Kanji Warned You.
tsūka · passes through, does not stop here
Survival
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The Shaking Stops. The Word Every Announcement Says Next Isn't 地震.
yoshin · aftershock
Survival
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You Say Thank You at an Osaka Shop Counter. What Comes Back Is Not the Word You Learned.
ōkini · thank you (Kansai)
Survival
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You Order in Japan and the Staff Fire Back an Eight Syllable Word. Do Not Answer It.
kashikomarimashita · Certainly. I've got it.
Survival
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You Are Half Asleep on a Japanese Train. One Word Means Everybody Gets Off.
shuuten · the final stop, the end of the line
Survival
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The Staff Says One Sentence, Then Walks Away. You Are Not Being Ignored.
shoushou omachi kudasai · One moment, please
Survival
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The Cashier Sentence in Japan That Japanese People Themselves Say Is Wrong
sen'en kara oazukari shimasu · I'll take the one thousand yen
Survival
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The Ramen Cook Just Added an Egg You Did Not Order. One Word Tells You If It Is Free.
kore, saabisu desu · This one is on the house.
Survival
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The Fireworks Ended. Now Staff Are Blocking the Station Entrance on Purpose.
nyuujou kisei · entry restriction: the station is letting people in in waves
Survival
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Your Food Lands on the Counter and the Staff Apologizes to You. Nobody Did Anything Wrong.
omatase shimashita · Sorry to keep you waiting.
Survival
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Every Shop in Japan Shouts This at You. You Are Not Supposed to Answer.
irasshaimase · welcome in (said by shop staff)
Survival
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Your Phone Screams in Japanese and You Didn't Set an Alarm. Here's Why.
jishin desu · It's an earthquake.
Survival
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Leaving a Japanese Pharmacy? They Say This. It Isn't Goodbye.
odaiji ni · Take care / get well soon
Survival
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Hear THIS Word in Japan? Freeze.
abunai! · watch out! / danger!
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