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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Beginner
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Last Train's Gone in Tokyo? Ask the Front Desk This.
takushii o yonde kudasai · Please call a taxi
Beginner
▶
35C at a Japanese Beer Garden? This Is the Only Phrase You Need.
nama biiru kudasai · A draft beer, please
Survival
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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?
Beginner
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Sharing a Konbini Meal in Japan? Don't Forget This One Request.
o-hashi o ni-zen kudasai · Two pairs of chopsticks, please
Survival
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38C and Suddenly Dizzy in Japan? Say This Before It Gets Worse.
netchūshō kamo shiremasen · I might have heatstroke
Beginner
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Made a Friend in Japan? This Is How You Swap Contacts (Not Instagram)
LINE kōkan shimasen ka? · Want to swap LINE?
Survival
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Hurt Yourself in Japan? The One Word the Doctor Needs to Hear
itai · it hurts / ouch
Beginner
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Say This Before a Japanese Friend's Big Day (It's Not Good Luck)
ganbatte · you've got this / do your best
Beginner
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You Learned 1 to 10. Now Hear the Real Price
hyaku, sen, man · hundred, thousand, ten-thousand
Survival
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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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One Japanese Word for Here You Go, After You, and Go Ahead
dōzo · here you go / go ahead / after you
Beginner
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Meeting a Japanese Person? Skip Konnichiwa. Say This.
Hajimemashite. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu. · Nice to meet you, I look forward to getting to know you.
Survival
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How to Tell a Japanese Taxi 'Stop Here'
koko de tomete kudasai · please stop here
Survival
▶
Don't Wear These Out of the Bathroom in Japan
toire no surippa · the toilet slippers
Beginner
▶
Summer Killed Your Appetite but Not the Rice Bowl. One Word Fixes It.
gohan sukuname de onegai shimasu · smaller rice portion, please
Beginner
▶
The Ramen Line Wraps the Block. Ten Minutes or an Hour? Ask This.
dono kurai machimasu ka? · how long is the wait?
Survival
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Train Leaves in 4 Minutes. This Station Has 17 Platforms.
nanbansen desu ka? · which platform is it?
Beginner
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Two Food Stalls, One Crowd, No Line in Sight. Ask This.
doko ni narabimasu ka? · where do I line up?
Beginner
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Japanese Flew By Too Fast? Ask Them to Write It Down.
kaite moraemasu ka? · Could you write it down?
Beginner
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That Green Paste on Your Sushi Is No Joke. Order It Off Like This.
wasabi nuki de onegai shimasu · Without wasabi, please.
Survival
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Got Directions in Japan but No Idea How Far? Ask This.
tōi desu ka? · Is it far?
Survival
▶
Japanese Restaurants Still Ask You This Smoky Question
kin'en-seki onegai shimasu · Non-smoking seat, please
Beginner
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Japan's Summer Mosquitoes Are Ruthless. Learn This Drugstore Phrase.
mushiyoke wa arimasu ka? · Do you have bug spray?
Survival
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This Train Looks Right, But It Skips Your Stop
kakueki teisha desu ka? · Is this the local (all-stops) train?
Survival
▶
Your Iced Coffee in Japan Is 80% Ice. Here's the Fix.
kōri nashi de onegai shimasu · No ice, please
Survival
▶
Phone Dead in Shibuya? The Two Words That Get You the Time
ima, nanji desu ka? · What time is it now?
Beginner
▶
Vegetarian in Japan? The Phrase That Keeps Meat Off Your Plate
niku wa taberaremasen · I can't eat meat.
Survival
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Buying Omiyage in Japan? Ask This at the Register.
rappingu dekimasu ka? · Can you gift-wrap it?
Survival
▶
Want to Make a Japanese Chef's Whole Day? Say This Mid-Bite
oishii desu · It's delicious.
Survival
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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
▶
Tokyo Taxi Feels Like a Sauna? The Polite Way to Ask for AC.
eakon o tsukete kudasai · Please turn on the AC.
Beginner
▶
You Can Smell the Festival Food but Can't Find It. Say This.
yatai wa doko desu ka? · Where are the food stalls?
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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Why Leaving a Tip in Japan Backfires
otsuri wa ii desu · Keep the change / the change is fine
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.
Beginner
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Sunburned in Kyoto? The One Phrase That Finds You Sunscreen.
hiyakedome wa arimasu ka? · Do you have sunscreen?
Survival
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The Konbini Question That Freezes Every Tourist
iie, kekkō desu · No, I'm fine, thank you
Beginner
▶
Got a Tattoo? Ask This Before the Onsen Turns You Away
tatū ga atte mo hairemasu ka? · Can I go in even with a tattoo?
Beginner
▶
Your First Phone Call in Japanese
moshi moshi · hello (on the phone)
Everything Tourists Get Wrong About Japanese Politeness
sumimasen · excuse me / sorry / thank you
Beginner
▶
Sitting in the Wrong Shinkansen Seat? This One Question Fixes It
jiyūseki desu ka, shiteiseki desu ka? · Is it unreserved or reserved seating?
Beginner
▶
Can You Read This Izakaya Menu?
yakitori · grilled chicken skewers
Beginner
▶
Japanese You Actually Need at Work
yoroshiku onegai shimasu · thanks in advance
Beginner
▶
3 Ways to Say Sorry in Japanese (One Sounds Rude)
moushiwake arimasen · I am truly sorry
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.
Beginner
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35C at a Japanese Festival? This 3-Word Order Saves You
kakigōri kudasai · Shaved ice, please.
Page 9 of 12 · 542 videos
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