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.
The Big Number on a Japanese Price Tag Is Not the One You Pay.
zeikomi · tax included
Someone Thanks You in Japan. The Word You Memorized Is Not the One They Use.
ieie · not at all
Twenty Five Thousand Steps a Day in Thirty Six Degrees. Your Feet Give Out Before Your Japanese Does.
bansoukou · adhesive bandage / plaster
You Found Platform 14. You Found Seat 12A. You Are Still About to Miss the Shinkansen.
gōsha · car number
It Is Not Raining in Tokyo. So Why Is Everyone Walking Under an Umbrella?
higasa · sun parasol
Survival
▶
Lights On, Staff Inside, Door Unlocked. This Little Sign Still Means Go Away.
junbi-chū · preparing, not open yet
One Word in the Train Announcement Means Stand Up Now. Everything Else Is Noise.
mamonaku, shibuya desu · We will be arriving at Shibuya shortly.
Don't Knock. The Little Window Already Answered You.
shiyouchuu · in use / occupied
This Sign Means All You Can Eat. The Number Next to It Is a Countdown.
tabehoudai · all you can eat
You Dropped Your Phone in Tokyo. This Tiny Building Gets It Back.
kouban · neighbourhood police box
Every Shop in Japan Shouts This at You. You Are Not Supposed to Answer.
irasshaimase · welcome in (said by shop staff)
It Is 36 Degrees and She Just Threw a Bucket of Water at the Pavement. She Is Not Cleaning.
uchimizu · sprinkling water to cool the street
A Stranger Just Sat Down at Your Table in Tokyo. The Staff Put Them There.
aiseki · sharing a table with a stranger
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.
In Japan, Dinner Gets 50% Cheaper Right Before Closing. You Just Have to Read Two Kanji.
hangaku · half price
The Konbini Screen Just Lit Up With Four Kanji. It's Asking How Old You Are.
nenrei kakunin · age check
Everything at a Japanese Izakaya Lands on One Giant Plate. Nobody Tells You to Ask for This.
torizara o kudasai · A small plate, please.
Japan Runs on Machines That Won't Explain Themselves. This Sentence Makes a Human Appear.
tsukaikata o oshiete kudasai · Please show me how to use this.
In Japan the Cashier Might Not Hand You the Receipt. Here's How to Ask.
reshīto kudasai · A receipt, please
Japan's Politest Way to Say No Literally Means I'm Okay
daijobu desu · I'm okay / no thanks
One Word in Japan Means 'This Is Amazing' AND 'This Is a Disaster'
yabai · no way / so good (or so bad)
Learn to Count to Ten in Japanese Before Your Food Arrives
ichi, ni, san... ju · one to ten
At a Japanese Konbini, the Clerk Asks About a Bag. Saying No Saves You Money.
fukuro wa irimasen · I don't need a bag
At Japanese Fireworks, the Whole Crowd Shouts a Long-Gone Shop's Name
tamaya~! · Tamaya! (the fireworks cheer)
Japanese People Don't Say a Cold Goodbye. They Send You Off With This.
ki o tsukete · Take care / get home safe
At Japan's Summer Fireworks, the Whole Crowd Shouts One Word. It Also Means 'Clean'.
kirei · beautiful / pretty (also: clean)
Your Japanese Host Keeps Refilling Your Plate. Say This or It Never Stops.
onaka ippai desu · I'm full, thank you
The One Word That Makes Every Japanese Shopkeeper Smile at You
kawaii! · (so) cute!
Japanese People Say This 10 Times a Day. English Has No Word for It.
otsukaresama desu · Thanks for your effort, good work
Two Kanji in Japan Mean Absolutely Not. Learn to Spot Them.
kinshi · Prohibited, forbidden
The Two Kanji That Mean You're Not Getting In
manseki · Full, no seats
The First Thing to Say When You Step Into a Japanese Home
ojama shimasu · Thanks for having me (excuse me for intruding)
Japanese People Don't Say 'Bye' When They Leave. They Say This.
ittekimasu · I'm heading out (and coming back)
Your Phone Screams in Japanese and You Didn't Set an Alarm. Here's Why.
jishin desu · It's an earthquake.
Leaving a Japanese Pharmacy? They Say This. It Isn't Goodbye.
odaiji ni · Take care / get well soon
You Know 'Wakarimasen'. Here's the One Word That Means the Opposite.
wakarimashita · Got it / understood
Survival
▶
Winding Mountain Roads in Japan? Ask for This Before You Board.
yoidome wa arimasu ka? · Do you have motion-sickness pills?
Survival
▶
38C and Suddenly Dizzy in Japan? Say This Before It Gets Worse.
netchūshō kamo shiremasen · I might have heatstroke
Survival
▶
Hurt Yourself in Japan? The One Word the Doctor Needs to Hear
itai · it hurts / ouch
Survival
▶
Which Onsen Door Is Mine? Read These Two Kanji
otoko-yu / onna-yu · men's bath / women's bath
Survival
▶
One Japanese Word for Here You Go, After You, and Go Ahead
dōzo · here you go / go ahead / after you
Survival
▶
How to Tell a Japanese Taxi 'Stop Here'
koko de tomete kudasai · please stop here
Survival
▶
Don't Wear These Out of the Bathroom in Japan
toire no surippa · the toilet slippers
Survival
▶
Train Leaves in 4 Minutes. This Station Has 17 Platforms.
nanbansen desu ka? · which platform is it?
Survival
▶
Got Directions in Japan but No Idea How Far? Ask This.
tōi desu ka? · Is it far?
Survival
▶
Japanese Restaurants Still Ask You This Smoky Question
kin'en-seki onegai shimasu · Non-smoking seat, please
Survival
▶
This Train Looks Right, But It Skips Your Stop
kakueki teisha desu ka? · Is this the local (all-stops) train?
Survival
▶
Your Iced Coffee in Japan Is 80% Ice. Here's the Fix.
kōri nashi de onegai shimasu · No ice, please
Survival
▶
Phone Dead in Shibuya? The Two Words That Get You the Time
ima, nanji desu ka? · What time is it now?
Survival
▶
Buying Omiyage in Japan? Ask This at the Register.
rappingu dekimasu ka? · Can you gift-wrap it?
Survival
▶
Want to Make a Japanese Chef's Whole Day? Say This Mid-Bite
oishii desu · It's delicious.
Survival
▶
Everyone Ordered but You Can't Read the Menu? Just Say 'Same for Me'
onaji de onegai shimasu · The same, please.
Survival
▶
Locals Keep Saying This Word to You All July in Japan.
mushiatsui desu ne · It's so humid, isn't it.
Survival
▶
Why Leaving a Tip in Japan Backfires
otsuri wa ii desu · Keep the change / the change is fine
Survival
▶
Out Late in Tokyo? Miss This Train and You're Stuck Till Dawn
shūden wa nanji desu ka? · What time is the last train?
Survival
▶
Three Melting Ice Cubes in Your Drink? Ask for More Like This.
kōri o onegai shimasu · Ice, please.
Survival
▶
The Konbini Question That Freezes Every Tourist
iie, kekkō desu · No, I'm fine, thank you
Survival
▶
If a Japanese Staffer Says THIS Word, Freeze
dame desu · No - not allowed.
Survival
▶
The One Word That Makes You Instantly Polite in Japan
dōzo · Here you go. / Go ahead.
Survival
▶
911 Won't Work in Japan - the One Phrase That Will
keisatsu o yonde kudasai · Please call the police.
Survival
▶
Hear THIS Word in Japan? Freeze.
abunai! · watch out! / danger!
Survival
▶
Feeling Sick in the Japan Heat? The One Phrase That Gets You Help Fast
kibun ga warui desu · I feel unwell
Survival
▶
The Firm Way to Ask Someone to Stop in Japan
yamete kudasai · please stop
Survival
▶
Cashier Moving Too Quick? The Polite Way to Say 'Hold On a Second' in Japan
chotto matte kudasai · wait a moment, please
Survival
▶
The Greeting You'll Say 20 Times a Day in Japan (It Changes by the Hour)
konnichiwa · hello / good day
Survival
▶
The Easy Way to Ask for an English Menu
eigo no menyuu o onegai shimasu · I'd like the menu, please
Survival
▶
Where to Park Your Car in Japan — The One Phrase for Tourist Drivers
chuushajou wa doko desu ka? · where is the parking lot?
Survival
▶
Where to Get a SIM Card in Japan — The Survival Phrase
shimu kaado wa doko desu ka? · where is the SIM card?
Survival
▶
Where to Exchange Money in Japan — The One Phrase You Need
kaseko wa doko desu ka? · where is the currency exchange?
Survival
▶
Asked for Directions in Japan? Now Actually Understand the Answer
massugu / migi / hidari · straight / right / left
Survival
▶
Feeling Sick in Japan? Know This Phrase Before You Need It
doraggu sutoa wa doko desu ka · Where is the drugstore?
Survival
▶
The Polite Thank You That Closes Every Interaction in Japan
arigatou gozaimasu · thank you very much
Survival
▶
You're Not Ready to Buy. Three Words Get You Out Gracefully.
mata kimasu · i'll come back later
Survival
▶
Free Water in Japan Is Served HOT. Here's How to Ask for It.
oyu wo kudasai · hot water, please
Survival
▶
The Place Is Packed. Ask This Before You Stand in Line.
koko de matte mo ii desu ka? · may i wait here?
Survival
▶
Hotel Check-In Is at 3pm. Your Bags Are Here at 9am. Say This.
nimotsu wo azukatte moraemasu ka? · could you hold my luggage?
Survival
▶
Is this spicy?
kore wa karai desu ka? · Is this spicy?
Survival
▶
The Magic Word for Fixing Mistakes
gomen nasai · sorry
Survival
▶
Walking Into a Tiny Tokyo Restaurant? Say THIS First
Menyū o kudasai · Menu, please
Survival
▶
Still Carrying Yen-less Cash? One Phrase Finds You an Exchange
ryōgae dekimasu ka? · Can I exchange currency here?
Survival
▶
How to Find the Exit in Japan
deguchi · exit
Survival
▶
Need a Bathroom in Japan? Say THIS — Not 'Toilet Doko'
Toire, o-kari shite mo ii desu ka? · May I use your restroom?
Survival
▶
Phone at 3% in Tokyo? The One Phrase That Saves Your Night
jūden dekimasu ka? · Can I charge here?
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 Magic Word for Getting Attention
sumimasen · Excuse me
Survival
▶
One Word, Three Meanings: Sumimasen
sumimasen · Excuse me / Sorry / Thank you
Survival
▶
The Polite Way to Ask About English
eigo o hanasemasu ka? · Do you speak English?
Survival
▶
Is This Okay?
kore de ii desu ka? · is this okay?
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
Survival
▶
The Most Useful Phrase in All of Japan
onegai shimasu · please
Survival
▶
I'm Lost
michi ni mayoi mashita · I'm lost
Survival
▶
Is it open?
eigyou-chuu desu ka? · Is it open?
Survival
▶
I'm looking for...
〜o sagashiteimasu · I'm looking for 〜
Survival
▶
I'm OK → The Most Useful Phrase in Japan
daijōbu desu · I'm okay / no thanks
Survival
▶
It's Pouring in Japan — and There's a Machine by Every Door You're Walking Past
kasa-bukuro · umbrella sleeve
Survival
▶
Why the Number 4 Has Two Names in Japan
ichi, ni, san, yon, go … jū · counting 1 to 10
Survival
▶
The Phrase That Saves You When the Line Forms Behind You
chotto matte kudasai · one moment, please
Survival
▶
The One Japanese Phrase You'll Be Glad You Learned
toire wa doko desu ka? · where is the toilet?
Survival
▶
Scared of the Language Barrier? Start With This
eigo, daijōbu desu ka? · is English okay? / do you speak English?
Survival
▶
The One Phrase That Tells You the Price in Japan
ikura desu ka? · how much is it?
Survival
▶
The First 2 Japanese Words You Need: Yes & No
hai / iie · yes / no
Get the free phrasebook
15 essential phrases for your trip — romaji included, zero studying.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.