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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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This Sign Means All You Can Eat. The Number Next to It Is a Countdown. Survival ▶

This Sign Means All You Can Eat. The Number Next to It Is a Countdown.

tabehoudai · all you can eat

sign-decode #learnjapanese

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 #learnjapanese

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 #learnjapanese

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 #learnjapanese

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 #learnjapanese

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 #learnjapanese

In Japan the Ramen Shop Is Not Down the Street. It Is on the Seventh Floor. 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?

situational #learnjapanese

The Noodles Are Sliding Down a Bamboo Pipe. Nobody Told You the Rules. Beginner ▶

The Noodles Are Sliding Down a Bamboo Pipe. Nobody Told You the Rules.

kore, dō yatte tabemasu ka · How do I eat this?

Food + Language #learnjapanese

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 #learnjapanese

In Japan, Dinner Gets 50% Cheaper Right Before Closing. You Just Have to Read Two Kanji. Survival ▶

In Japan, Dinner Gets 50% Cheaper Right Before Closing. You Just Have to Read Two Kanji.

hangaku · half price

sign-decode #learnjapanese

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 #learnjapanese

Everything at a Japanese Izakaya Lands on One Giant Plate. Nobody Tells You to Ask for This. 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.

mini-dialogue #learnjapanese

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 #learnjapanese

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 #learnjapanese

Every Train in Japan Is Packed in Mid-August. The Country Is Going Home to See the Dead. 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

cultural-explainer #learnjapanese

Japan's Politest Way to Say No Literally Means I'm Okay Survival ▶

Japan's Politest Way to Say No Literally Means I'm Okay

daijobu desu · I'm okay / no thanks

one-phrase-survival #learnjapanese

One Word in Japan Means 'This Is Amazing' AND 'This Is a Disaster' Survival ▶

One Word in Japan Means 'This Is Amazing' AND 'This Is a Disaster'

yabai · no way / so good (or so bad)

word-of-the-day #learnjapanese

Learn to Count to Ten in Japanese Before Your Food Arrives Survival ▶

Learn to Count to Ten in Japanese Before Your Food Arrives

ichi, ni, san... ju · one to ten

count-along #learnjapanese

Booked a Ryokan? Breakfast Is Half the Reason You Came. Ask What Time It Starts. Beginner ▶

Booked a Ryokan? Breakfast Is Half the Reason You Came. Ask What Time It Starts.

asagohan wa nanji desu ka · What time is breakfast?

mini-dialogue #learnjapanese

At a Japanese Konbini, the Clerk Asks About a Bag. Saying No Saves You Money. Survival ▶

At a Japanese Konbini, the Clerk Asks About a Bag. Saying No Saves You Money.

fukuro wa irimasen · I don't need a bag

mini-dialogue #learnjapanese

At Japanese Fireworks, the Whole Crowd Shouts a Long-Gone Shop's Name Survival ▶

At Japanese Fireworks, the Whole Crowd Shouts a Long-Gone Shop's Name

tamaya~! · Tamaya! (the fireworks cheer)

culture-curiosity #learnjapanese

Lost the Moment They Started Talking Fast? Ask for This. Beginner ▶

Lost the Moment They Started Talking Fast? Ask for This.

yukkuri onegai shimasu · Slowly, please

mini-dialogue #learnjapanese

Japanese People Don't Say a Cold Goodbye. They Send You Off With This. Survival ▶

Japanese People Don't Say a Cold Goodbye. They Send You Off With This.

ki o tsukete · Take care / get home safe

greetings #learnjapanese

38C in Japan and Now Your Forehead's on Fire. Say This at the Drugstore. Beginner ▶

38C in Japan and Now Your Forehead's on Fire. Say This at the Drugstore.

netsu ga arimasu · I have a fever

health #learnjapanese

One Tiny Towel for a Whole Onsen Bath? Here's How to Ask for Another. 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

onsen #learnjapanese

You Nailed Check-In. Get Check-Out Time Wrong and You Pay for Another Night. 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?

accommodation #learnjapanese

Do You Need a Train, or Can You Just Walk? Ask This in Japan. Beginner ▶

Do You Need a Train, or Can You Just Walk? Ask This in Japan.

aruite ikemasu ka? · Can I walk there?

directions #learnjapanese

At Japan's Summer Fireworks, the Whole Crowd Shouts One Word. It Also Means 'Clean'. Survival ▶

At Japan's Summer Fireworks, the Whole Crowd Shouts One Word. It Also Means 'Clean'.

kirei · beautiful / pretty (also: clean)

word-of-the-day #learnjapanese

That Free Sample Tray in a Japanese Food Hall? Ask Before You Reach. Beginner ▶

That Free Sample Tray in a Japanese Food Hall? Ask Before You Reach.

shishoku dekimasu ka? · Can I try a sample?

shopping #learnjapanese

The Konbini Cashier Asks You One Word. Freeze No More. Beginner ▶

The Konbini Cashier Asks You One Word. Freeze No More.

atatamemasu ka? · Shall I heat it up?

Cultural Shock #learnjapanese

Your Japanese Host Keeps Refilling Your Plate. Say This or It Never Stops. Survival ▶

Your Japanese Host Keeps Refilling Your Plate. Say This or It Never Stops.

onaka ippai desu · I'm full, thank you

Cultural Shock #learnjapanese

The One Word That Makes Every Japanese Shopkeeper Smile at You Survival ▶

The One Word That Makes Every Japanese Shopkeeper Smile at You

kawaii! · (so) cute!

Pop Culture #learnjapanese

A Typhoon's Coming and Your Train Might Stop. Ask the Station This. Beginner ▶

A Typhoon's Coming and Your Train Might Stop. Ask the Station This.

densha, ugoitemasu ka? · Are the trains running?

Cultural Shock #learnjapanese

Japanese People Say This 10 Times a Day. English Has No Word for It. Survival ▶

Japanese People Say This 10 Times a Day. English Has No Word for It.

otsukaresama desu · Thanks for your effort, good work

culture-key-phrase #learnjapanese

Two Kanji in Japan Mean Absolutely Not. Learn to Spot Them. Survival ▶

Two Kanji in Japan Mean Absolutely Not. Learn to Spot Them.

kinshi · Prohibited, forbidden

Immersive #learnjapanese

The Two Kanji That Mean You're Not Getting In Survival ▶

The Two Kanji That Mean You're Not Getting In

manseki · Full, no seats

Immersive #learnjapanese

Handed Natto in Japan? 'I Don't Like It' Is the Wrong Answer. Beginner ▶

Handed Natto in Japan? 'I Don't Like It' Is the Wrong Answer.

chotto nigate desu · It's not really my thing

politeness-nuance #learnjapanese

There's a Drum Tower and a Circle of Dancers. You're Allowed to Join. 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?

situational-phrase #learnjapanese

When a Japanese Friend Says 'Next Time', They Often Mean No Intermediate ▶

When a Japanese Friend Says 'Next Time', They Often Mean No

mata kondo · Next time (a polite no)

cultural-nuance #learnjapanese

Couldn't Finish Your Ramen in Japan? Ask This Before You Box It Up. Beginner ▶

Couldn't Finish Your Ramen in Japan? Ask This Before You Box It Up.

mochikaeri dekimasu ka? · Can I take this to go?

mini-scenario #learnjapanese

Two Snacks, One Cashier, No Clue. Ask Which One Everyone Buys. Beginner ▶

Two Snacks, One Cashier, No Clue. Ask Which One Everyone Buys.

docchi ga ninki desu ka? · Which one is more popular?

phrase-drill #learnjapanese

The First Thing to Say When You Step Into a Japanese Home Survival ▶

The First Thing to Say When You Step Into a Japanese Home

ojama shimasu · Thanks for having me (excuse me for intruding)

etiquette-phrase #learnjapanese

Japanese People Don't Say 'Bye' When They Leave. They Say This. Survival ▶

Japanese People Don't Say 'Bye' When They Leave. They Say This.

ittekimasu · I'm heading out (and coming back)

etiquette-phrase #learnjapanese

Your Phone Screams in Japanese and You Didn't Set an Alarm. Here's Why. Survival ▶

Your Phone Screams in Japanese and You Didn't Set an Alarm. Here's Why.

jishin desu · It's an earthquake.

Listening Recognition #learnjapanese

Leaving a Japanese Pharmacy? They Say This. It Isn't Goodbye. Survival ▶

Leaving a Japanese Pharmacy? They Say This. It Isn't Goodbye.

odaiji ni · Take care / get well soon

Listening Recognition #learnjapanese

First 10 Seconds at a Japanese Hotel Desk? Say This. Beginner ▶

First 10 Seconds at a Japanese Hotel Desk? Say This.

chekku-in onegai shimasu · Check-in, please

role-play #learnjapanese

One Day Every July, All of Japan Eats Eel on Purpose. Here's Why. Intermediate ▶

One Day Every July, All of Japan Eats Eel on Purpose. Here's Why.

doyou no ushi no hi · midsummer 'eel day'

culture-explainer #learnjapanese

You Know 'Wakarimasen'. Here's the One Word That Means the Opposite. Survival ▶

You Know 'Wakarimasen'. Here's the One Word That Means the Opposite.

wakarimashita · Got it / understood

phrase-drill #learnjapanese

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