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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You Said Two and They Lit a Second Stove
nininmae de onegai shimasu · two servings, please
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You Ordered Kaki and They Brought the Oyster
kudamono no kaki o kudasai · the fruit persimmon, please
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The Taxi Hasn't Moved.
hatsunori · the taxi's starting fare
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Those Two Kanji Were the Fee.
haikanryō · the fee to view a temple or garden
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Your Robe Is on the Funeral Side.
migi-mae · the living wrap, left panel on top
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You Let the Extra Train Leave.
rinji ressha · an extra train added to the schedule
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Your Train Is a Bus at the Curb.
basu daikō ga dete imasu · A replacement bus is running.
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She Said Take Your Time. You Stood Up.
go-yukkuri · Please take your time.
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The Cheap Room Smelled Like Smoke.
heya o kaete moraemasu ka · Could you change my room?
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Did You Catch That? The Door Is Four Cars From the Front. You Counted From the Back.
mae kara nan-ryōme desu ka? · Which car from the front?
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Did You Catch That? Nodding in Akihabara Just Sold You a Warranty.
hoshō wa ikaga desu ka? · Would you like the warranty?
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Google Walked You Into a Loading Dock. That Sign Is Not a Suggestion.
kankeisha igai tachiiri kinshi · staff only, no entry
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The Photo Spot Has a 40-Minute Line and One Word on the Sign.
Kōyō ga migoro desu · The autumn leaves are at their peak
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You Landed With a Welcome Suica. The Gate Is Not the Place to Find Out.
Kore de noremasu ka? · Can I get on with this?
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Stop Pushing. That Train Door Is Waiting on You.
hanjidō · semi-automatic (you open this door)
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The Sticky Heat Pack Doesn't Go on Your Skin.
haru kairo o kudasai · a stick-on heat pack, please
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That Sentence Means There Is No Seat.
washiki shika arimasen · there's only a squat toilet
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The Hotel Room Is Black. The Switch Is the Slot.
kādo o sashikonde kudasai · please insert the card
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POV: You Paid for a Ryokan. The Floor Is Empty. They Did Not Forget the Bed.
Futon o shiite kudasai · Please lay out the futon.
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The Platform Does Not Say Your Stop. It Says a City Past It. That Is Your Train.
hōmen · in the direction of
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POV: Security Opened Your Backpack. Those Konbini Snacks Are Not Coming In.
mochikomi kinshi · no outside food or drinks
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Her Long Goodbye Was Not a Question
mata okoshi kudasaimase · please come again (staff to you)
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Did You Catch That? That Train Will Skip Your Hotel.
kaisoku · rapid (skips stations)
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Half Price Strawberries. Two Kanji. Something Is Wrong With Them On Purpose.
wake ari · imperfect (there's a reason this is cheap)
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That Station Voice Is Not Being Polite. The Train Is Closer Than You Think.
Kiiroi sen made osagari kudasai · Please step back to the yellow line.
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You Pulled Up to the Exit. The Bar Did Not Move. Twenty Cars Are Now Waiting.
Shutsujō-mae seisan · Pay before you exit.
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You Walked Past the Bathroom Six Times. The Sign Said Makeup Room.
keshōshitsu · restroom (literally makeup room)
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The Biggest Stall Is Not Extra Room for Your Suitcase.
tamokuteki toire · accessible toilet
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POV: The Bus Drove Straight Past Your Hotel. The Button Over Your Head Was the Whole Game.
kōsha botan · the stop button (press it or the bus will not stop)
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POV: The Ramen Guy Is Holding a Ladle of Garlic. He Is Waiting.
ninniku nashi de · without garlic
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Everyone Is Staring Because You Sat Down in the Bath. The Bucket Came First.
kakeyu o shite kudasai · Please rinse off before you get in.
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Every Locker at Tokyo Station Is Shut. Two Kanji Mean You're Walking.
manpai · full (lockers, parking, a box). Not 満員.
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She Looked at Both of You and Said Three Syllables. She Is Not Asking If You Are Dating.
go-issho desu ka? · Will that be on one bill?
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You Jammed the Chip In. She Wanted a Tap.
tatchi shite kudasai · Please tap (your card).
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You Coughed Once. Six People Just Shifted Seats. Nobody Will Say Why.
masuku · mask
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The Doors Are Open. The Voice Just Said This Car Is Full.
man'in desu · It's full
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Silver Week Starts Saturday. Those Empty Shinkansen Seats Will Still Leave Without You.
zensha shitei-seki · all cars reserved seating
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That Camera With a Slash Is Not a Suggestion. One Click and Staff Appear.
satsuei kinshi · No photography
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The Beer Is 10%. The Onigiri Next to It Is 8%. Same Shelf.
keigen zeiritsu · reduced tax rate
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Immigration Wants a Square on Your Phone. The Paper Form Does Nothing.
nijigen kōdo · QR code (2D code)
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Google Said Go Straight. Two Red Kanji Disagreed.
tsūkō-dome · road closed, no through traffic
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The Cart Lady Said One Sentence. You Have Eight Seconds.
shanai hanbai desu · onboard sales, the snack cart is here
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They Sat You Down at Seven. The Table Is Not Yours Past Eight Thirty.
irekae-sei · time-limit seating, turnover system
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You Dipped the Skewer Twice. The Whole Counter Went Quiet.
nidozuke kinshi · no double-dipping
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The Best Lunch in the Japanese Countryside Is a Parking Lot With a Government Sign.
michi no eki · roadside station
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The Vending Machine Just Rejected Your Only Bill. The Shop Next Door Can Fix It.
kuzushite itadakemasu ka? · Could you break this into smaller bills?
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The Lights Just Dimmed and She Said One English Word. The Kitchen Is About to Close on You.
rasuto ōdā desu · it's last order
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The Tax-Free Counter Is Not at the Shop. It Is Before Bag Drop.
kakunin onegai shimasu. · Confirmation, please.
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