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.
All videos
Survival
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You Will Speak Japanese Before You Leave the Airport. One Word Is Enough.
kankō desu · Sightseeing. (my purpose of visit)
Beginner
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The Ramen Shop Asks How You Want Your Noodles. Say Nothing and You Get the Boring Answer.
katame de onegai shimasu · Firm, please
Beginner
▶
A Stranger in Japan Will Ask You One Question. Most Tourists Just Smile and Nod.
sugoku tanoshii desu · I'm having a great time.
Beginner
▶
"Sorry, We Are Full." In Japan That Is Not the End of the Conversation.
kyanseru-machi wa dekimasu ka? · Can I go on the cancellation waiting list?
Beginner
▶
You Fell Asleep on a Japanese Train and Woke Up Somewhere Else. Say This at the Gate.
norisugoshimashita · I missed my stop.
Intermediate
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The Fireworks Start at Seven. That Riverbank Was Claimed at Noon.
basho-tori · claiming a spot in advance
Survival
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The Ramen Cook Just Added an Egg You Did Not Order. One Word Tells You If It Is Free.
kore, saabisu desu · This one is on the house.
Survival
▶
The Counter Asks You One Word Before Your Food Is Rung Up. Say This or the Sides Never Come.
setto de · The set, please.
Beginner
▶
That Ryokan Costs Forty Thousand Yen a Night. You Can Use Its Hot Spring for About a Thousand.
higaeri nyuuyoku, dekimasu ka? · Can I use the bath just for the day?
Beginner
▶
The Kyoto Bus Has Not Moved in Ten Minutes. Everyone Overtaking It Is on a Bicycle.
jitensha o karitai desu · I'd like to rent a bicycle.
Intermediate
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Someone in Japan Calls You Over. The English Word Coming Sends You the Wrong Way.
ima ikimasu · I'm coming right now.
Survival
▶
The Ticket Gate Just Shut on You in Japan. The Screen Is Telling You Why.
zangaku busoku · not enough balance left
Survival
▶
Everyone Stops at This Stone Basin Before the Shrine. Nobody Tells You What to Do.
chouzuya · the purification basin at the entrance to a shrine
Beginner
▶
Your Flight Just Got Cancelled by a Typhoon. Check Out Is in Forty Minutes.
mou ippaku dekimasu ka? · Can I stay one more night?
Beginner
▶
Your Ryokan Is a Two Thousand Yen Taxi From the Station. It Also Runs a Free Van.
sougei basu wa arimasu ka? · Is there a shuttle bus?
Survival
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Online Says Sold Out. A Window at the Entrance Is Still Selling Tickets for Today.
toujitsuken · a same-day ticket, sold at the window on the day
Survival
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The Fireworks Ended. Now Staff Are Blocking the Station Entrance on Purpose.
nyuujou kisei · entry restriction: the station is letting people in in waves
Survival
▶
The Cheapest Good Lunch in Japan Is Not on the Menu. It Is on a Board by the Door.
higawari · the daily set: today's changing lunch
Beginner
▶
The Phone in Your Karaoke Room Rings. Nobody Told You It Was a Countdown.
enchō dekimasu ka? · Can I extend?
Survival
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Your Food Lands on the Counter and the Staff Apologizes to You. Nobody Did Anything Wrong.
omatase shimashita · Sorry to keep you waiting.
Survival
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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.
Beginner
▶
A Hand Reaches for Your Plate in Japan. You Are Not Finished.
mada tabete imasu · I'm still eating.
Intermediate
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On August Seventh Japan's Calendar Says It Is Autumn. Then You Step Outside.
zansho ga kibishii desu ne · The lingering heat is brutal, isn't it.
Survival
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Someone Thanks You in Japan. The Word You Memorized Is Not the One They Use.
ieie · not at all
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)
Beginner
▶
In Japan the Ramen Shop Is Not Down the Street. It Is on the Seventh Floor.
nangai desu ka · What floor is it on?
Survival
▶
Japan's Politest Way to Say No Literally Means I'm Okay
daijobu desu · I'm okay / no thanks
Beginner
▶
Lost the Moment They Started Talking Fast? Ask for This.
yukkuri onegai shimasu · Slowly, please
Survival
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Japanese People Don't Say a Cold Goodbye. They Send You Off With This.
ki o tsukete · Take care / get home safe
Beginner
▶
38C in Japan and Now Your Forehead's on Fire. Say This at the Drugstore.
netsu ga arimasu · I have a fever
Beginner
▶
One Tiny Towel for a Whole Onsen Bath? Here's How to Ask for Another.
taoru o mou ichi-mai kudasai · One more towel, please
Beginner
▶
You Nailed Check-In. Get Check-Out Time Wrong and You Pay for Another Night.
chekku-auto wa nanji desu ka? · What time is check-out?
Beginner
▶
Do You Need a Train, or Can You Just Walk? Ask This in Japan.
aruite ikemasu ka? · Can I walk there?
Beginner
▶
The Konbini Cashier Asks You One Word. Freeze No More.
atatamemasu ka? · Shall I heat it up?
Survival
▶
Your Japanese Host Keeps Refilling Your Plate. Say This or It Never Stops.
onaka ippai desu · I'm full, thank you
Survival
▶
The One Word That Makes Every Japanese Shopkeeper Smile at You
kawaii! · (so) cute!
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
Survival
▶
The Two Kanji That Mean You're Not Getting In
manseki · Full, no seats
Beginner
▶
Handed Natto in Japan? 'I Don't Like It' Is the Wrong Answer.
chotto nigate desu · It's not really my thing
Beginner
▶
There's a Drum Tower and a Circle of Dancers. You're Allowed to Join.
issho ni odotte mo ii desu ka? · Can I dance with you?
Intermediate
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When a Japanese Friend Says 'Next Time', They Often Mean No
mata kondo · Next time (a polite no)
Beginner
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Couldn't Finish Your Ramen in Japan? Ask This Before You Box It Up.
mochikaeri dekimasu ka? · Can I take this to go?
Beginner
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Two Snacks, One Cashier, No Clue. Ask Which One Everyone Buys.
docchi ga ninki desu ka? · Which one is more popular?
Survival
▶
The First Thing to Say When You Step Into a Japanese Home
ojama shimasu · Thanks for having me (excuse me for intruding)
Survival
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Japanese People Don't Say 'Bye' When They Leave. They Say This.
ittekimasu · I'm heading out (and coming back)
Survival
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Your Phone Screams in Japanese and You Didn't Set an Alarm. Here's Why.
jishin desu · It's an earthquake.
Survival
▶
Leaving a Japanese Pharmacy? They Say This. It Isn't Goodbye.
odaiji ni · Take care / get well soon
Beginner
▶
First 10 Seconds at a Japanese Hotel Desk? Say This.
chekku-in onegai shimasu · Check-in, please
Page 4 of 6 · 279 videos
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