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
▶
This Sign Means All You Can Eat. The Number Next to It Is a Countdown.
tabehoudai · all you can eat
Survival
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You Dropped Your Phone in Tokyo. This Tiny Building Gets It Back.
kouban · neighbourhood police box
Survival
▶
Every Shop in Japan Shouts This at You. You Are Not Supposed to Answer.
irasshaimase · welcome in (said by shop staff)
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?
Survival
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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
Survival
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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
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?
Beginner
▶
The Noodles Are Sliding Down a Bamboo Pipe. Nobody Told You the Rules.
kore, dō yatte tabemasu ka · How do I eat this?
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.
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
▶
The Konbini Screen Just Lit Up With Four Kanji. It's Asking How Old You Are.
nenrei kakunin · age check
Survival
▶
Everything at a Japanese Izakaya Lands on One Giant Plate. Nobody Tells You to Ask for This.
torizara o kudasai · A small plate, please.
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.
Survival
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In Japan the Cashier Might Not Hand You the Receipt. Here's How to Ask.
reshīto kudasai · A receipt, please
Intermediate
▶
Every Train in Japan Is Packed in Mid-August. The Country Is Going Home to See the Dead.
obon · Obon, the summer season honoring ancestors
Survival
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Japan's Politest Way to Say No Literally Means I'm Okay
daijobu desu · I'm okay / no thanks
Survival
▶
One Word in Japan Means 'This Is Amazing' AND 'This Is a Disaster'
yabai · no way / so good (or so bad)
Survival
▶
Learn to Count to Ten in Japanese Before Your Food Arrives
ichi, ni, san... ju · one to ten
Beginner
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Booked a Ryokan? Breakfast Is Half the Reason You Came. Ask What Time It Starts.
asagohan wa nanji desu ka · What time is breakfast?
Survival
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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
▶
At Japanese Fireworks, the Whole Crowd Shouts a Long-Gone Shop's Name
tamaya~! · Tamaya! (the fireworks cheer)
Beginner
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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?
Survival
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At Japan's Summer Fireworks, the Whole Crowd Shouts One Word. It Also Means 'Clean'.
kirei · beautiful / pretty (also: clean)
Beginner
▶
That Free Sample Tray in a Japanese Food Hall? Ask Before You Reach.
shishoku dekimasu ka? · Can I try a sample?
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!
Beginner
▶
A Typhoon's Coming and Your Train Might Stop. Ask the Station This.
densha, ugoitemasu ka? · Are the trains running?
Survival
▶
Japanese People Say This 10 Times a Day. English Has No Word for It.
otsukaresama desu · Thanks for your effort, good work
Survival
▶
Two Kanji in Japan Mean Absolutely Not. Learn to Spot Them.
kinshi · Prohibited, forbidden
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
▶
Couldn't Finish Your Ramen in Japan? Ask This Before You Box It Up.
mochikaeri dekimasu ka? · Can I take this to go?
Beginner
▶
Two Snacks, One Cashier, No Clue. Ask Which One Everyone Buys.
docchi ga ninki desu ka? · Which one is more popular?
Survival
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The First Thing to Say When You Step Into a Japanese Home
ojama shimasu · Thanks for having me (excuse me for intruding)
Survival
▶
Japanese People Don't Say 'Bye' When They Leave. They Say This.
ittekimasu · I'm heading out (and coming back)
Survival
▶
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
Intermediate
▶
One Day Every July, All of Japan Eats Eel on Purpose. Here's Why.
doyou no ushi no hi · midsummer 'eel day'
Survival
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You Know 'Wakarimasen'. Here's the One Word That Means the Opposite.
wakarimashita · Got it / understood
Page 8 of 12 · 551 videos
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