Learn Japan in 30-second reels

Beginner ▶

What's This Called?

kore wa nihongo de nan to iimasu ka? · what is this called in japanese?

Mini-Lesson #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

English Words Japanese People Say Completely Differently

makudonarudo · McDonald's (as Japanese pronounce it)

Pronunciation #learnjapanese

Survival ▶

Is This Okay?

kore de ii desu ka? · is this okay?

phrase-drill #learnjapanese

Survival ▶

The Great Trash Can Hunt

gomi-bako wa doko desu ka? · where is the trash can?

situational #learnjapanese

Beginner ▶

Order Anything with One Phrase

kore o hitotsu kudasai · One of this, please

mini-scenario #learnjapanese

Survival ▶

Asking for Help Politely

sumimasen, tasukete kudasai · Excuse me, please help me

situational #learnjapanese

Survival ▶

I have a reservation

yoyaku shiteimasu · I have a reservation

situational #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

The Word You Say Leaving a Japanese Restaurant (Not Arigatō)

gochisōsama deshita · thanks for the meal

Everyday Connection #learnjapanese

Survival ▶

The Most Useful Phrase in All of Japan

onegai shimasu · please

phrase-drill #learnjapanese

Beginner ▶

Locals Eat THIS to Survive Japan's Summer (Not Just Water)

shio-ame · salt candy

Seasonal Food #learnjapanese

Beginner ▶

I'm From [Country]

amerika kara kimashita · I'm from America

situational #learnjapanese

Survival ▶

I'm Lost

michi ni mayoi mashita · I'm lost

situational #learnjapanese

Beginner ▶

Where is the Bathroom? (Beginner Version)

otearai wa doko desu ka? · Where is the bathroom?

situational #learnjapanese

Survival ▶

Is it open?

eigyou-chuu desu ka? · Is it open?

situational #learnjapanese

Survival ▶

I'm looking for...

〜o sagashiteimasu · I'm looking for 〜

situational #learnjapanese

Survival ▶

I'm OK → The Most Useful Phrase in Japan

daijōbu desu · I'm okay / no thanks

Common Mistake #learnjapanese

Beginner ▶

Skip the Pricey Fuji Tours — Take This Train

Fuji Kaiyū · the Fuji Excursion (direct limited express to Mt Fuji)

Travel Hack #learnjapanese

Survival ▶

It's Pouring in Japan — and There's a Machine by Every Door You're Walking Past

kasa-bukuro · umbrella sleeve

Cultural Wedge #learnjapanese

Beginner ▶

Ask This Before You Order — Japan Is Still Cash Country

kādo de ii desu ka? · can I pay by card?

Travel Basics #learnjapanese

Beginner ▶

Your Reset Button When Japanese Comes Back Too Fast

yukkuri onegai shimasu · slowly, please

Everyday Connection #learnjapanese

Survival ▶

Why the Number 4 Has Two Names in Japan

ichi, ni, san, yon, go … jū · counting 1 to 10

Mini-Lesson #learnjapanese

Survival ▶

The Phrase That Saves You When the Line Forms Behind You

chotto matte kudasai · one moment, please

Survival Phrases #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

The Color That Tells You Hot or Cold on a Japanese Vending Machine

tsumetai / atatakai · cold / warm

Cultural Wedge #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

Getting on a Japanese Bus the Wrong Way Costs You Money

seiriken · numbered fare ticket

Cultural Shock #learnjapanese

Survival ▶

The One Japanese Phrase You'll Be Glad You Learned

toire wa doko desu ka? · where is the toilet?

Mini-Lesson #learnjapanese

Survival ▶

Scared of the Language Barrier? Start With This

eigo, daijōbu desu ka? · is English okay? / do you speak English?

Survival Phrases #learnjapanese

Survival ▶

The One Phrase That Tells You the Price in Japan

ikura desu ka? · how much is it?

Survival Phrases #learnjapanese

Survival ▶

The First 2 Japanese Words You Need: Yes & No

hai / iie · yes / no

Survival Phrases #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

How to Order Hot Snacks at the Konbini Counter

kore, kudasai · this one, please

Travel Hack #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

Japan's Luggage Hack: Travel Hands-Free

nimotsu o okuritai desu · I'd like to send my luggage

Travel Hack #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

The Summer Sign That Means 'Order This Now' in Japan

Hiyashi-chūka, kudasai. · Hiyashi-chūka, please. (cold summer noodles)

Seasonal Food #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

Never Touch a Taxi Door in Japan

~ made onegai shimasu. · To ~, please.

Cultural Wedge #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

Japan's Rainy-Season Rule Tourists Always Miss

Kasa, koko de ii desu ka? · Is it okay to leave my umbrella here?

Etiquette #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

The Word Locals Say to You All Summer in Japan

Atsui desu ne. · It's hot, isn't it.

Everyday Connection #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

One Japanese Word Does the Job of Three

sumimasen · excuse me / sorry / thank you

Cultural Wedge #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

Stop Saying Sayōnara — Japanese People Rarely Do

jaa ne · See you / bye (casual)

Cultural Shock #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

The Summer Outfit Locals Wear to Festivals (and What to Say)

yukata · summer cotton kimono

Cultural Wedge #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

Why You Can't Just Say 'Two' When Ordering in Japan

futatsu kudasai · Two, please.

Cultural Shock #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

How to Get Free Water at Any Japanese Restaurant

o-mizu o kudasai · Water, please.

Mini-Lesson #learnjapanese

Beginner ▶

Lost in Japanese? This Phrase Saves You

nihongo, wakarimasen · I do not understand Japanese

Travel Basics #learnjapanese

Beginner ▶

Mystery Food in Japan? Just Ask What It Is

kore wa nan desu ka? · what is this?

Travel Basics #learnjapanese

Beginner ▶

How to Ask for the Bill in Japan

okaikei, onegai shimasu · check, please

Travel Basics #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

Got a Cold in Japan? The One Phrase to Get Medicine at the Drugstore

kaze-gusuri wa arimasu ka · Do you have cold medicine?

Mini-Lesson #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

Left Something on the Train in Japan? Don't Panic — Say This

wasuremono o shimashita · I left something behind

Cultural Shock #learnjapanese

Beginner ▶

Japan Hands You a Hot Towel — Don't Use It Wrong

oshibori · wet hand towel

Cultural Wedge #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

Rain Ruining Your Japan Trip? June Is Secretly Its Prettiest Month

ajisai · hydrangea

Immersive #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

Why Japanese People Keep Saying This While You Talk

sō desu ka · oh, I see / is that so (the 'I'm listening' sound)

Cultural Wedge #learnjapanese

Intermediate ▶

Ask THIS Before You Take a Photo in Japan

shashin o totte mo ii desu ka? · May I take a photo?

Interactive #learnjapanese