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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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You Only Drank Tea. They Still Split It by Headcount. Survival ▶

You Only Drank Tea. They Still Split It by Headcount.

Warikan ni shiyō · Let's split it evenly.

myth-bust #izakaya

Did You Catch That? That Wasn't Water. Survival ▶

Did You Catch That? That Wasn't Water.

Mizuwari · alcohol cut with water, usually whisky

Listening Recognition #izakaya

You Meant Thanks and Bought the Table Survival ▶

You Meant Thanks and Bought the Table

Gochisō shimasu · it's my treat, I'm paying

myth-bust #izakaya

They Served You a Fish That Still Has a Face. Beginner ▶

They Served You a Fish That Still Has a Face.

sanma no shioyaki o onegai shimasu · salt-grilled saury, please

role-play #izakaya

The Izakaya Is Empty. They Still Said No. You Were One Person. Beginner ▶

The Izakaya Is Empty. They Still Said No. You Were One Person.

kauntaa de onegai shimasu · the counter, please

role-play #izakaya

She Looked at Both of You and Said Three Syllables. She Is Not Asking If You Are Dating. Survival ▶

She Looked at Both of You and Said Three Syllables. She Is Not Asking If You Are Dating.

go-issho desu ka? · Will that be on one bill?

Listening Recognition #izakaya

They Sat You Down at Seven. The Table Is Not Yours Past Eight Thirty. Survival ▶

They Sat You Down at Seven. The Table Is Not Yours Past Eight Thirty.

irekae-sei · time-limit seating, turnover system

cultural-explainer #izakaya

The Lights Just Dimmed and She Said One English Word. The Kitchen Is About to Close on You. Survival ▶

The Lights Just Dimmed and She Said One English Word. The Kitchen Is About to Close on You.

rasuto ōdā desu · it's last order

Listening Recognition #izakaya

You Sat Down to Rest. They Will Not Leave Until You Order a Drink. Survival ▶

You Sat Down to Rest. They Will Not Leave Until You Order a Drink.

wan dorinku sei desu · there is a one-drink minimum

situation-rescue #izakaya

All You Can Drink in Japan Starts a Clock You Cannot See. Survival ▶

All You Can Drink in Japan Starts a Clock You Cannot See.

nomihōdai de onegai shimasu · All-you-can-drink, please.

cultural-explainer #izakaya

You Waited Twenty Minutes. The Waiter Was a Sticker on the Table. Survival ▶

You Waited Twenty Minutes. The Waiter Was a Sticker on the Table.

yomitotte kudasai · Please scan it

situation-rescue #izakaya

Stop Waiting for the Check. It's Already on Your Table. Beginner ▶

Stop Waiting for the Check. It's Already on Your Table.

denpyō o motte reji e okoshi kudasai · Please take your slip to the register.

Common Mistake #izakaya

Your Textbook Said Never Ask for a Box. Ask Anyway. Beginner ▶

Your Textbook Said Never Ask for a Box. Ask Anyway.

pakku ni dekimasu ka? · Can you box this up?

myth-bust #izakaya

At a Japanese Table Your Glass Is Never Empty. That Isn't Generosity. It's a Loop. Survival ▶

At a Japanese Table Your Glass Is Never Empty. That Isn't Generosity. It's a Loop.

mada daijōbu desu · I'm still good, thanks.

Common Mistake #izakaya

One Piece Left on the Plate. Nobody Will Touch It. Japan Has a Name for It. Survival ▶

One Piece Left on the Plate. Nobody Will Touch It. Japan Has a Name for It.

enryo naku dōzo. · Go on, don't hold back.

cultural-explainer #izakaya

Eleven Minutes in a Tokyo Izakaya and Nobody Has Taken Your Order. It Was Never Going to Happen at the Table. Beginner ▶

Eleven Minutes in a Tokyo Izakaya and Nobody Has Taken Your Order. It Was Never Going to Happen at the Table.

chūmon wa dō sureba ii desu ka? · How do I order?

situation-rescue #izakaya

Everyone at the Table Ordered Beer. You Don't Drink. One Sentence Ends It on the First Ask. Beginner ▶

Everyone at the Table Ordered Beer. You Don't Drink. One Sentence Ends It on the First Ask.

osake, nomenai n desu · I can't drink alcohol

role-play #izakaya

You Asked for the English Menu in Japan. You Just Got the Short Version. Beginner ▶

You Asked for the English Menu in Japan. You Just Got the Short Version.

nihongo no menyuu mo onegai shimasu · The Japanese menu too, please.

myth-bust #izakaya

The Bill Is Paid and Nobody Is Standing Up. Japan Has a Word for What Happens Next. Beginner ▶

The Bill Is Paid and Nobody Is Standing Up. Japan Has a Word for What Happens Next.

mou ikken ikimasen ka? · Want to go to one more place?

role-play #izakaya

A Stranger in Japan Will Ask You One Question. Most Tourists Just Smile and Nod. 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.

mini-dialogue #izakaya

That Little Dish You Never Ordered in Japan Isn't Free Survival ▶

That Little Dish You Never Ordered in Japan Isn't Free

otoshi · the small dish that arrives automatically, and the charge that comes with it

cultural-explainer #izakaya

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 #izakaya

35C at a Japanese Beer Garden? This Is the Only Phrase You Need. Beginner ▶

35C at a Japanese Beer Garden? This Is the Only Phrase You Need.

nama biiru kudasai · A draft beer, please

role-play #izakaya

Everyone Ordered but You Can't Read the Menu? Just Say 'Same for Me' Survival ▶

Everyone Ordered but You Can't Read the Menu? Just Say 'Same for Me'

onaji de onegai shimasu · The same, please.

order-by-copying #izakaya

Can You Read This Izakaya Menu? Beginner ▶

Can You Read This Izakaya Menu?

yakitori · grilled chicken skewers

Food + Language #izakaya

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