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
▶
Lost the Moment They Started Talking Fast? Ask for This.
yukkuri onegai shimasu · Slowly, please
Beginner
▶
38C in Japan and Now Your Forehead's on Fire. Say This at the Drugstore.
netsu ga arimasu · I have a fever
Beginner
▶
One Tiny Towel for a Whole Onsen Bath? Here's How to Ask for Another.
taoru o mou ichi-mai kudasai · One more towel, please
Beginner
▶
You Nailed Check-In. Get Check-Out Time Wrong and You Pay for Another Night.
chekku-auto wa nanji desu ka? · What time is check-out?
Beginner
▶
Do You Need a Train, or Can You Just Walk? Ask This in Japan.
aruite ikemasu ka? · Can I walk there?
Beginner
▶
That Free Sample Tray in a Japanese Food Hall? Ask Before You Reach.
shishoku dekimasu ka? · Can I try a sample?
Beginner
▶
The Konbini Cashier Asks You One Word. Freeze No More.
atatamemasu ka? · Shall I heat it up?
Beginner
▶
A Typhoon's Coming and Your Train Might Stop. Ask the Station This.
densha, ugoitemasu ka? · Are the trains running?
Beginner
▶
Handed Natto in Japan? 'I Don't Like It' Is the Wrong Answer.
chotto nigate desu · It's not really my thing
Beginner
▶
There's a Drum Tower and a Circle of Dancers. You're Allowed to Join.
issho ni odotte mo ii desu ka? · Can I dance with you?
Beginner
▶
Couldn't Finish Your Ramen in Japan? Ask This Before You Box It Up.
mochikaeri dekimasu ka? · Can I take this to go?
Beginner
▶
Two Snacks, One Cashier, No Clue. Ask Which One Everyone Buys.
docchi ga ninki desu ka? · Which one is more popular?
Beginner
▶
First 10 Seconds at a Japanese Hotel Desk? Say This.
chekku-in onegai shimasu · Check-in, please
Beginner
▶
Last Train's Gone in Tokyo? Ask the Front Desk This.
takushii o yonde kudasai · Please call a taxi
Beginner
▶
35C at a Japanese Beer Garden? This Is the Only Phrase You Need.
nama biiru kudasai · A draft beer, please
Beginner
▶
Sharing a Konbini Meal in Japan? Don't Forget This One Request.
o-hashi o ni-zen kudasai · Two pairs of chopsticks, please
Beginner
▶
Made a Friend in Japan? This Is How You Swap Contacts (Not Instagram)
LINE kōkan shimasen ka? · Want to swap LINE?
Beginner
▶
Say This Before a Japanese Friend's Big Day (It's Not Good Luck)
ganbatte · you've got this / do your best
Beginner
▶
You Learned 1 to 10. Now Hear the Real Price
hyaku, sen, man · hundred, thousand, ten-thousand
Beginner
▶
Meeting a Japanese Person? Skip Konnichiwa. Say This.
Hajimemashite. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu. · Nice to meet you, I look forward to getting to know you.
Beginner
▶
Summer Killed Your Appetite but Not the Rice Bowl. One Word Fixes It.
gohan sukuname de onegai shimasu · smaller rice portion, please
Beginner
▶
The Ramen Line Wraps the Block. Ten Minutes or an Hour? Ask This.
dono kurai machimasu ka? · how long is the wait?
Beginner
▶
Two Food Stalls, One Crowd, No Line in Sight. Ask This.
doko ni narabimasu ka? · where do I line up?
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
▶
Japan's Summer Mosquitoes Are Ruthless. Learn This Drugstore Phrase.
mushiyoke wa arimasu ka? · Do you have bug spray?
Beginner
▶
Vegetarian in Japan? The Phrase That Keeps Meat Off Your Plate
niku wa taberaremasen · I can't eat meat.
Beginner
▶
Tokyo Taxi Feels Like a Sauna? The Polite Way to Ask for AC.
eakon o tsukete kudasai · Please turn on the AC.
Beginner
▶
You Can Smell the Festival Food but Can't Find It. Say This.
yatai wa doko desu ka? · Where are the food stalls?
Beginner
▶
Sunburned in Kyoto? The One Phrase That Finds You Sunscreen.
hiyakedome wa arimasu ka? · Do you have sunscreen?
Beginner
▶
Got a Tattoo? Ask This Before the Onsen Turns You Away
tatū ga atte mo hairemasu ka? · Can I go in even with a tattoo?
Beginner
▶
Your First Phone Call in Japanese
moshi moshi · hello (on the phone)
Everything Tourists Get Wrong About Japanese Politeness
sumimasen · excuse me / sorry / thank you
Beginner
▶
Sitting in the Wrong Shinkansen Seat? This One Question Fixes It
jiyūseki desu ka, shiteiseki desu ka? · Is it unreserved or reserved seating?
Beginner
▶
Can You Read This Izakaya Menu?
yakitori · grilled chicken skewers
Beginner
▶
Japanese You Actually Need at Work
yoroshiku onegai shimasu · thanks in advance
Beginner
▶
3 Ways to Say Sorry in Japanese (One Sounds Rude)
moushiwake arimasen · I am truly sorry
Beginner
▶
35C at a Japanese Festival? This 3-Word Order Saves You
kakigōri kudasai · Shaved ice, please.
Beginner
▶
Wrong Dish at Your Table in Japan? Fix It Without Being Rude
chigaimasu · That's not right.
Beginner
▶
Can't Eat Pork in Japan? Memorize This One Sentence
buta-niku wa haitte imasu ka? · Does it contain pork?
Beginner
▶
Free Refills in Japan? Only If You Know This Word
okawari kudasai · another serving / a refill, please
Beginner
▶
Getting in a Tokyo Taxi? Say Where You're Going in Three Words
~ made onegai shimasu · To ~, please.
Beginner
▶
Walking Into a Japanese Restaurant? The First Thing They Ask You
futari desu · Two of us. / Table for two.
The Cutest Japanese Homecoming Phrase (ft. Hana)
tadaima · I am home
Beginner
▶
The One Emergency Sentence to Know in Japan
kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai · please call an ambulance
Beginner
▶
Japanese Train Etiquette — The One Rule Tourists Always Forget
denwa wa dame desu ka? · are phone calls not allowed?
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
Page 3 of 4 · 164 videos
Get the free phrasebook
15 essential phrases for your trip — romaji included, zero studying.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.