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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It Was Cloudless an Hour Ago. Japan Has a Word for the Wall of Water Now Coming Down.
gerira gouu · sudden localized downpour
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Your Train Just Died. Everyone Around You Is Walking to a Rival Railway.
furikae yusou, tsukaemasu ka? · Can I use the substitute transport?
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The Big Number on a Japanese Price Tag Is Not the One You Pay.
zeikomi · tax included
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Someone Thanks You in Japan. The Word You Memorized Is Not the One They Use.
ieie · not at all
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Twenty Five Thousand Steps a Day in Thirty Six Degrees. Your Feet Give Out Before Your Japanese Does.
bansoukou · adhesive bandage / plaster
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You Found Platform 14. You Found Seat 12A. You Are Still About to Miss the Shinkansen.
gōsha · car number
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It Is Not Raining in Tokyo. So Why Is Everyone Walking Under an Umbrella?
higasa · sun parasol
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Lights On, Staff Inside, Door Unlocked. This Little Sign Still Means Go Away.
junbi-chū · preparing, not open yet
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One Word in the Train Announcement Means Stand Up Now. Everything Else Is Noise.
mamonaku, shibuya desu · We will be arriving at Shibuya shortly.
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Don't Knock. The Little Window Already Answered You.
shiyouchuu · in use / occupied
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This Sign Means All You Can Eat. The Number Next to It Is a Countdown.
tabehoudai · all you can eat
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You Dropped Your Phone in Tokyo. This Tiny Building Gets It Back.
kouban · neighbourhood police box
Survival
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Every Shop in Japan Shouts This at You. You Are Not Supposed to Answer.
irasshaimase · welcome in (said by shop staff)
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A Stranger Just Sat Down at Your Table in Tokyo. The Staff Put Them There.
aiseki · sharing a table with a stranger
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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.
Survival
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In Japan, Dinner Gets 50% Cheaper Right Before Closing. You Just Have to Read Two Kanji.
hangaku · half price
Survival
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The Konbini Screen Just Lit Up With Four Kanji. It's Asking How Old You Are.
nenrei kakunin · age check
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Everything at a Japanese Izakaya Lands on One Giant Plate. Nobody Tells You to Ask for This.
torizara o kudasai · A small plate, please.
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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.
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In Japan the Cashier Might Not Hand You the Receipt. Here's How to Ask.
reshīto kudasai · A receipt, please
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At a Japanese Konbini, the Clerk Asks About a Bag. Saying No Saves You Money.
fukuro wa irimasen · I don't need a bag
Survival
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Japanese People Say This 10 Times a Day. English Has No Word for It.
otsukaresama desu · Thanks for your effort, good work
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Two Kanji in Japan Mean Absolutely Not. Learn to Spot Them.
kinshi · Prohibited, forbidden
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The Two Kanji That Mean You're Not Getting In
manseki · Full, no seats
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You Know 'Wakarimasen'. Here's the One Word That Means the Opposite.
wakarimashita · Got it / understood
Beginner
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Last Train's Gone in Tokyo? Ask the Front Desk This.
takushii o yonde kudasai · Please call a taxi
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Winding Mountain Roads in Japan? Ask for This Before You Board.
yoidome wa arimasu ka? · Do you have motion-sickness pills?
Survival
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38C and Suddenly Dizzy in Japan? Say This Before It Gets Worse.
netchūshō kamo shiremasen · I might have heatstroke
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Hurt Yourself in Japan? The One Word the Doctor Needs to Hear
itai · it hurts / ouch
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Which Onsen Door Is Mine? Read These Two Kanji
otoko-yu / onna-yu · men's bath / women's bath
Survival
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How to Tell a Japanese Taxi 'Stop Here'
koko de tomete kudasai · please stop here
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Train Leaves in 4 Minutes. This Station Has 17 Platforms.
nanbansen desu ka? · which platform is it?
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Got Directions in Japan but No Idea How Far? Ask This.
tōi desu ka? · Is it far?
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Phone Dead in Shibuya? The Two Words That Get You the Time
ima, nanji desu ka? · What time is it now?
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Want to Make a Japanese Chef's Whole Day? Say This Mid-Bite
oishii desu · It's delicious.
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Everyone Ordered but You Can't Read the Menu? Just Say 'Same for Me'
onaji de onegai shimasu · The same, please.
Beginner
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Tokyo Taxi Feels Like a Sauna? The Polite Way to Ask for AC.
eakon o tsukete kudasai · Please turn on the AC.
Survival
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Locals Keep Saying This Word to You All July in Japan.
mushiatsui desu ne · It's so humid, isn't it.
Survival
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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
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Three Melting Ice Cubes in Your Drink? Ask for More Like This.
kōri o onegai shimasu · Ice, please.
Survival
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The Konbini Question That Freezes Every Tourist
iie, kekkō desu · No, I'm fine, thank you
Survival
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If a Japanese Staffer Says THIS Word, Freeze
dame desu · No - not allowed.
Survival
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The One Word That Makes You Instantly Polite in Japan
dōzo · Here you go. / Go ahead.
Survival
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911 Won't Work in Japan - the One Phrase That Will
keisatsu o yonde kudasai · Please call the police.
Survival
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Hear THIS Word in Japan? Freeze.
abunai! · watch out! / danger!
Survival
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Feeling Sick in the Japan Heat? The One Phrase That Gets You Help Fast
kibun ga warui desu · I feel unwell
Survival
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The Firm Way to Ask Someone to Stop in Japan
yamete kudasai · please stop
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Cashier Moving Too Quick? The Polite Way to Say 'Hold On a Second' in Japan
chotto matte kudasai · wait a moment, please
Page 3 of 4 · 175 videos
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