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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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The Train Is Packed and Four Seats Sit Empty. Two Kanji Explain Why. Survival ▶

The Train Is Packed and Four Seats Sit Empty. Two Kanji Explain Why.

yūsenseki · priority seat

cultural-explainer #japantips

You Want a Real Japanese Souvenir. A Lot of That Shelf Was Made Somewhere Else. Beginner ▶

You Want a Real Japanese Souvenir. A Lot of That Shelf Was Made Somewhere Else.

kore, nihonsei desu ka? · Is this made in Japan?

cultural-explainer #japantips

You Order in Japan and the Staff Fire Back an Eight Syllable Word. Do Not Answer It. Survival ▶

You Order in Japan and the Staff Fire Back an Eight Syllable Word. Do Not Answer It.

kashikomarimashita · Certainly. I've got it.

Listening Recognition #japantips

You Drank Too Much in Japan Last Night. The Drugstore Has an Entire Shelf Waiting for You. Survival ▶

You Drank Too Much in Japan Last Night. The Drugstore Has an Entire Shelf Waiting for You.

futsukayoi no kusuri wa arimasu ka? · Do you have anything for a hangover?

situational #japantips

He Abandoned His Own Direction and Walked You Three Blocks. Japan Has a Word for That. Survival ▶

He Abandoned His Own Direction and Walked You Three Blocks. Japan Has a Word for That.

tasukarimashita · You really saved me.

one-phrase-survival #japantips

A Stranger Stops in the Shinkansen Aisle, Checks His Ticket, Then Looks at You. Survival ▶

A Stranger Stops in the Shinkansen Aisle, Checks His Ticket, Then Looks at You.

machigaemashita · I got it wrong. My mistake.

situation-rescue #japantips

Two One Way Tickets in Japan. You Just Paid Extra for the Exact Same Trip. Beginner ▶

Two One Way Tickets in Japan. You Just Paid Extra for the Exact Same Trip.

oufuku de onegai shimasu · Round trip, please.

situational #japantips

The Machine Just Ate Your Five Hundred Yen. Do Not Walk Away From It. Beginner ▶

The Machine Just Ate Your Five Hundred Yen. Do Not Walk Away From It.

kowarete imasu · It's broken. It isn't working.

mini-scenario #japantips

The Cash Machine in Japan Just Gave You a Note the Bus Will Refuse. Beginner ▶

The Cash Machine in Japan Just Gave You a Note the Bus Will Refuse.

ichiman-en satsu demo ii desu ka? · Is a ten thousand yen note okay?

mini-scenario #japantips

That Japanese Timetable Has Two Columns. Reading the Wrong One Costs You an Hour. Survival ▶

That Japanese Timetable Has Two Columns. Reading the Wrong One Costs You an Hour.

donichishuku · Saturdays, Sundays and holidays

sign-decode #japantips

One of These Two Kanji Is Quietly Costing You Money All Over Japan. Survival ▶

One of These Two Kanji Is Quietly Costing You Money All Over Japan.

muryou / yuuryou · free / costs money

sign-decode #japantips

You Are Half Asleep on a Japanese Train. One Word Means Everybody Gets Off. Survival ▶

You Are Half Asleep on a Japanese Train. One Word Means Everybody Gets Off.

shuuten · the final stop, the end of the line

Listening Recognition #japantips

The Cashier Sentence in Japan That Japanese People Themselves Say Is Wrong Survival ▶

The Cashier Sentence in Japan That Japanese People Themselves Say Is Wrong

sen'en kara oazukari shimasu · I'll take the one thousand yen

Listening Recognition #japantips

Japanese Hotels Ask Every Foreign Guest for the Same Thing. It Is Not Your Booking. Survival ▶

Japanese Hotels Ask Every Foreign Guest for the Same Thing. It Is Not Your Booking.

pasupōto o onegai shimasu · Your passport, please

mini-dialogue #japantips

The Phone in Your Karaoke Room Rings. Nobody Told You It Was a Countdown. Beginner ▶

The Phone in Your Karaoke Room Rings. Nobody Told You It Was a Countdown.

enchō dekimasu ka? · Can I extend?

situational #japantips

It Is Thirty Six Degrees and the Locals Are Walking Straight Past the Coolest Car on the Train. Survival ▶

It Is Thirty Six Degrees and the Locals Are Walking Straight Past the Coolest Car on the Train.

jakureibōsha · the mildly air-conditioned car

sign-decode #japantips

Japan Cancelled Tomorrow's Trains. It Is Sunny Outside and the Notice Is Already Up. Survival ▶

Japan Cancelled Tomorrow's Trains. It Is Sunny Outside and the Notice Is Already Up.

keikaku unkyū · planned suspension of service

sign-decode #japantips

You Bought the Festival Food. Now Do Not Take a Single Step. Survival ▶

You Bought the Festival Food. Now Do Not Take a Single Step.

tabearuki kinshi · no eating while walking

Etiquette #japantips

You Walked Twenty Five Minutes in the Heat. The Card on That Door Says Closed Every Tuesday. Survival ▶

You Walked Twenty Five Minutes in the Heat. The Card on That Door Says Closed Every Tuesday.

teikyūbi · regular weekly closing day

sign-decode #japantips

The Izakaya Is Full, the Lights Are On, and They Just Turned You Away at the Door. Survival ▶

The Izakaya Is Full, the Lights Are On, and They Just Turned You Away at the Door.

kashikiri · privately booked, reserved for one group

sign-decode #japantips

You Wave. You Cough. Nobody Comes. There Is a Button Right Next to Your Hand. Survival ▶

You Wave. You Cough. Nobody Comes. There Is a Button Right Next to Your Hand.

yobidashi botan · call button

mini-scenario #japantips

Your Food Lands on the Counter and the Staff Apologizes to You. Nobody Did Anything Wrong. Survival ▶

Your Food Lands on the Counter and the Staff Apologizes to You. Nobody Did Anything Wrong.

omatase shimashita · Sorry to keep you waiting.

Listening Recognition #japantips

One Short Line Makes Japanese Staff Slow Down and Walk You Through It. Say It Before You Panic. Survival ▶

One Short Line Makes Japanese Staff Slow Down and Walk You Through It. Say It Before You Panic.

koko, hajimete nan desu · It's my first time here.

situation-rescue #japantips

You Land at Nine. Check In Is at Three. Here Is the Sentence, and the Answer You Will Actually Get. Beginner ▶

You Land at Nine. Check In Is at Three. Here Is the Sentence, and the Answer You Will Actually Get.

hayame ni chekku-in dekimasu ka · Can I check in early?

mini-scenario #japantips

That Sign Is Not Saying Please Be Careful. Japanese Has a Way of Saying No Without the Word No. Intermediate ▶

That Sign Is Not Saying Please Be Careful. Japanese Has a Way of Saying No Without the Word No.

tabearuki wa go-enryo kudasai · Please refrain from eating while walking.

cultural-explainer #japantips

It Is Thirty Five Degrees Outside and the Konbini Shelf Just Turned Into Autumn. Intermediate ▶

It Is Thirty Five Degrees Outside and the Konbini Shelf Just Turned Into Autumn.

kikan gentei · limited time only

cultural-explainer #japantips

It Was Cloudless an Hour Ago. Japan Has a Word for the Wall of Water Now Coming Down. Survival ▶

It Was Cloudless an Hour Ago. Japan Has a Word for the Wall of Water Now Coming Down.

gerira gouu · sudden localized downpour

situational #japantips

Your Train Just Died. Everyone Around You Is Walking to a Rival Railway. Survival ▶

Your Train Just Died. Everyone Around You Is Walking to a Rival Railway.

furikae yusou, tsukaemasu ka? · Can I use the substitute transport?

situational #japantips

The Big Number on a Japanese Price Tag Is Not the One You Pay. Survival ▶

The Big Number on a Japanese Price Tag Is Not the One You Pay.

zeikomi · tax included

sign-decode #japantips

The Karaoke Desk Asks One Thing Before They Hand You a Room. Beginner ▶

The Karaoke Desk Asks One Thing Before They Hand You a Room.

nijikan de onegai shimasu · Two hours, please.

mini-dialogue #japantips

Someone Thanks You in Japan. The Word You Memorized Is Not the One They Use. Survival ▶

Someone Thanks You in Japan. The Word You Memorized Is Not the One They Use.

ieie · not at all

mini-dialogue #japantips

Twenty Five Thousand Steps a Day in Thirty Six Degrees. Your Feet Give Out Before Your Japanese Does. Survival ▶

Twenty Five Thousand Steps a Day in Thirty Six Degrees. Your Feet Give Out Before Your Japanese Does.

bansoukou · adhesive bandage / plaster

mini-scenario #japantips

Mid August You Walk to That Ramen Shop and It Is Dark. The Whole Street Took the Same Week Off. Beginner ▶

Mid August You Walk to That Ramen Shop and It Is Dark. The Whole Street Took the Same Week Off.

obon wa oyasumi desu ka? · Are you closed for Obon?

situational #japantips

You Found Platform 14. You Found Seat 12A. You Are Still About to Miss the Shinkansen. Survival ▶

You Found Platform 14. You Found Seat 12A. You Are Still About to Miss the Shinkansen.

gōsha · car number

situational #japantips

You Just Bought 3,000 Yen of Kyoto Sweets. It Is 36 Degrees. Ask for This at the Register. Beginner ▶

You Just Bought 3,000 Yen of Kyoto Sweets. It Is 36 Degrees. Ask for This at the Register.

horeizai o irete moraemasu ka? · Could you put in an ice pack?

phrase_of_the_day #japantips

It Is Not Raining in Tokyo. So Why Is Everyone Walking Under an Umbrella? Survival ▶

It Is Not Raining in Tokyo. So Why Is Everyone Walking Under an Umbrella?

higasa · sun parasol

cultural_wedge #japantips

Lights On, Staff Inside, Door Unlocked. This Little Sign Still Means Go Away. Survival ▶

Lights On, Staff Inside, Door Unlocked. This Little Sign Still Means Go Away.

junbi-chū · preparing, not open yet

sign_decode #japantips

One Word in the Train Announcement Means Stand Up Now. Everything Else Is Noise. Survival ▶

One Word in the Train Announcement Means Stand Up Now. Everything Else Is Noise.

mamonaku, shibuya desu · We will be arriving at Shibuya shortly.

situational #japantips

Don't Knock. The Little Window Already Answered You. Survival ▶

Don't Knock. The Little Window Already Answered You.

shiyouchuu · in use / occupied

sign-decode #japantips

You Dropped Your Phone in Tokyo. This Tiny Building Gets It Back. Survival ▶

You Dropped Your Phone in Tokyo. This Tiny Building Gets It Back.

kouban · neighbourhood police box

situational #japantips

Every Shop in Japan Shouts This at You. You Are Not Supposed to Answer. Survival ▶

Every Shop in Japan Shouts This at You. You Are Not Supposed to Answer.

irasshaimase · welcome in (said by shop staff)

Listening Recognition #japantips

Two ATMs on the Same Street in Japan. Only One Takes Your Foreign Card. Beginner ▶

Two ATMs on the Same Street in Japan. Only One Takes Your Foreign Card.

kaigai no kaado wa tsukaemasu ka? · Can I use a foreign card?

mini-dialogue #japantips

It Is 36 Degrees and She Just Threw a Bucket of Water at the Pavement. She Is Not Cleaning. Survival ▶

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

Cultural Shock #japantips

A Stranger Just Sat Down at Your Table in Tokyo. The Staff Put Them There. Survival ▶

A Stranger Just Sat Down at Your Table in Tokyo. The Staff Put Them There.

aiseki · sharing a table with a stranger

Cultural Wedge #japantips

A Stranger in Japan Will Chase You Down the Street to Return a Coin. Here's How to Be That Stranger. Survival ▶

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.

situational #japantips

The Konbini Screen Just Lit Up With Four Kanji. It's Asking How Old You Are. Survival ▶

The Konbini Screen Just Lit Up With Four Kanji. It's Asking How Old You Are.

nenrei kakunin · age check

Immersive #japantips

Japan Runs on Machines That Won't Explain Themselves. This Sentence Makes a Human Appear. Survival ▶

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.

Mini-Lesson #japantips

In Japan the Cashier Might Not Hand You the Receipt. Here's How to Ask. Survival ▶

In Japan the Cashier Might Not Hand You the Receipt. Here's How to Ask.

reshīto kudasai · A receipt, please

Survival Phrase #japantips

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