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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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Did You Catch That? The Door Is Four Cars From the Front. You Counted From the Back. Survival ▶

Did You Catch That? The Door Is Four Cars From the Front. You Counted From the Back.

mae kara nan-ryōme desu ka? · Which car from the front?

Listening Recognition #japanesephrases

Did You Catch That? Nodding in Akihabara Just Sold You a Warranty. Survival ▶

Did You Catch That? Nodding in Akihabara Just Sold You a Warranty.

hoshō wa ikaga desu ka? · Would you like the warranty?

Listening Recognition #japanesephrases

POV: The Guard Pointed at Your Backpack. Then at a Tiny Window. Beginner ▶

POV: The Guard Pointed at Your Backpack. Then at a Tiny Window.

kurōku wa arimasu ka? · Is there a cloakroom?

role-play #japanesephrases

POV: You Walked Out of the Museum for a Bathroom. The Gate Thinks You Left. Beginner ▶

POV: You Walked Out of the Museum for a Bathroom. The Gate Thinks You Left.

sai-nyūjō dekimasu ka? · Can I re-enter?

role-play #japanesephrases

POV: You Paid for a Ryokan. The Floor Is Empty. They Did Not Forget the Bed. Survival ▶

POV: You Paid for a Ryokan. The Floor Is Empty. They Did Not Forget the Bed.

Futon o shiite kudasai · Please lay out the futon.

situation-rescue #japanesephrases

That Station Voice Is Not Being Polite. The Train Is Closer Than You Think. Survival ▶

That Station Voice Is Not Being Polite. The Train Is Closer Than You Think.

Kiiroi sen made osagari kudasai · Please step back to the yellow line.

Listening Recognition #japanesephrases

You're Both at Tokyo Station. You Will Not Find Each Other. Beginner ▶

You're Both at Tokyo Station. You Will Not Find Each Other.

kaisatsu no soto de matte imasu · I'm waiting outside the ticket gates.

role-play #japanesephrases

You Dumped Unlabeled Grapes on the Belt. The Whole Line Just Died. Beginner ▶

You Dumped Unlabeled Grapes on the Belt. The Whole Line Just Died.

keiryō wa doko desu ka? · Where do I weigh this?

cultural-explainer #japanesephrases

The Onsen Said No Tattoos. Then They Pointed at a Door You Can Rent by the Hour. Beginner ▶

The Onsen Said No Tattoos. Then They Pointed at a Door You Can Rent by the Hour.

Kazoku-buro wa arimasu ka · Do you have a family bath?

role-play #japanesephrases

POV: The Bus Drove Straight Past Your Hotel. The Button Over Your Head Was the Whole Game. Survival ▶

POV: The Bus Drove Straight Past Your Hotel. The Button Over Your Head Was the Whole Game.

kōsha botan · the stop button (press it or the bus will not stop)

situation-rescue #japanesephrases

She Handed You the Thin One. Accounting Will Throw It Out. Beginner ▶

She Handed You the Thin One. Accounting Will Throw It Out.

ryōshūsho o onegai shimasu · An official receipt, please.

situation-rescue #japanesephrases

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 #japanesephrases

You Jammed the Chip In. She Wanted a Tap. Survival ▶

You Jammed the Chip In. She Wanted a Tap.

tatchi shite kudasai · Please tap (your card).

Common Mistake #japanesephrases

You Missed the Driver by Four Minutes. The Pink Slip Is the Whole Game. Beginner ▶

You Missed the Driver by Four Minutes. The Pink Slip Is the Whole Game.

saihaitatsu o onegai shimasu · please redeliver it

role-play #japanesephrases

Your App Taught You a Whole Sentence to Take a Seat. Locals Ask Three Syllables. Beginner ▶

Your App Taught You a Whole Sentence to Take a Seat. Locals Ask Three Syllables.

aitemasu ka? · is this seat free?

myth-bust #japanesephrases

In Japan, Your WhatsApp Number Is Useless. Everyone Asks for LINE. Survival ▶

In Japan, Your WhatsApp Number Is Useless. Everyone Asks for LINE.

LINE de ii desu ka? · Is LINE okay?

situation-rescue #japanesephrases

You Stripped for the Onsen. Your Wallet Is Sitting in an Open Basket. Survival ▶

You Stripped for the Onsen. Your Wallet Is Sitting in an Open Basket.

kichōhin rokkā · valuables locker

cultural-explainer #japanesephrases

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 #japanesephrases

They Handed You a Coaster. Two Minutes Later It Screamed Survival ▶

They Handed You a Coaster. Two Minutes Later It Screamed

nattara o-hairi kudasai · when it rings, please come in

Listening Recognition #japanesephrases

Two Lines. You Joined the One That Never Sits Down Survival ▶

Two Lines. You Joined the One That Never Sits Down

tennai desu · dine-in / eating here

myth-bust #japanesephrases

You Booked the Quiet Week in September. Japan Invented a Five-Day Weekend Survival ▶

You Booked the Quiet Week in September. Japan Invented a Five-Day Weekend

renkyū · consecutive holidays / a long weekend

cultural-explainer #japanesephrases

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 #japanesephrases

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 #japanesephrases

Your App Taught You This Means Yes. The Cashier Just Heard No. Survival ▶

Your App Taught You This Means Yes. The Cashier Just Heard No.

ii desu · I'm good / no thanks

Common Mistake #japanesephrases

Your Pocket Wi-Fi Just Died and Your Hotel Code Was Inside It Survival ▶

Your Pocket Wi-Fi Just Died and Your Hotel Code Was Inside It

kowaremashita · it broke / it's not working

situation-rescue #japanesephrases

You Felt Dizzy in the Heat. She Skipped the Fridge and Handed You a Box. Beginner ▶

You Felt Dizzy in the Heat. She Skipped the Fridge and Handed You a Box.

keikō hosuieki o kudasai · Oral rehydration drink, please.

situation-rescue #japanesephrases

You Joined the Fast Lane in a Japanese Supermarket. It Does Not Have a Cashier. Survival ▶

You Joined the Fast Lane in a Japanese Supermarket. It Does Not Have a Cashier.

serufu reji de onegai shimasu · Please use the self-checkout.

Listening Recognition #japanesephrases

Your App Taught You Kekkou. At the Airport That Sound Means Your Plane Is Dead. Survival ▶

Your App Taught You Kekkou. At the Airport That Sound Means Your Plane Is Dead.

kekkō ni narimashita · The flight has been cancelled.

myth-bust #japanesephrases

Your Suitcase Just Jammed in a Tokyo Ticket Gate. There Was One Gate You Should Have Used. Survival ▶

Your Suitcase Just Jammed in a Tokyo Ticket Gate. There Was One Gate You Should Have Used.

koko, tōremasu ka? · Can I get through here?

situation-rescue #japanesephrases

The Steaming Tub Is Back Beside the Konbini Register. Then Comes the Question. Survival ▶

The Steaming Tub Is Back Beside the Konbini Register. Then Comes the Question.

karashi wa o-tsuke shimasu ka? · Would you like mustard with that?

Listening Recognition #japanesephrases

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 #japanesephrases

The Board Still Shows Your Train. The Voice Just Said It Is Not Moving. Survival ▶

The Board Still Shows Your Train. The Voice Just Said It Is Not Moving.

unten o miawasete orimasu · We have temporarily suspended operations.

Listening Recognition #japanesephrases

You Paid 700 Yen for an Umbrella. The Hotel Barrel Was Free. Survival ▶

You Paid 700 Yen for an Umbrella. The Hotel Barrel Was Free.

kashigasa · umbrellas for loan

sign-decode #japanesephrases

The Best Shop Has No Website. One Phone Sentence Is the Trick. Beginner ▶

The Best Shop Has No Website. One Phone Sentence Is the Trick.

ima kara itte mo daijōbu desu ka? · Is it okay if we come now?

role-play #japanesephrases

The Japanese Doctor Hands You a Piece of Paper Instead of Medicine. The Pills Are in a Different Building. Survival ▶

The Japanese Doctor Hands You a Piece of Paper Instead of Medicine. The Pills Are in a Different Building.

shohousen desu. onegai shimasu. · Here's my prescription. Please.

cultural-explainer #japanesephrases

You Introduced Yourself in Japanese and Accidentally Called Yourself Sir. Beginner ▶

You Introduced Yourself in Japanese and Accidentally Called Yourself Sir.

Jon desu · I am John (never Jon-san)

Common Mistake #japanesephrases

Your Power Bank Isn't Allowed in the Overhead Bin on a Japanese Flight. It Has to Stay Where You Can Reach It. Survival ▶

Your Power Bank Isn't Allowed in the Overhead Bin on a Japanese Flight. It Has to Stay Where You Can Reach It.

mobairu batterī wa otemoto ni oite kudasai · Please keep your power bank within reach.

myth-bust #japanesephrases

You Read the Right Kanji Last Night. Tonight the Same Door Is the Women's Bath. Survival ▶

You Read the Right Kanji Last Night. Tonight the Same Door Is the Women's Bath.

danjo irekae · men's and women's baths swap over

sign-decode #japanesephrases

Your Yakiniku Grill Went Black in Ten Minutes. You Are Not Supposed to Keep Cooking on That. Survival ▶

Your Yakiniku Grill Went Black in Ten Minutes. You Are Not Supposed to Keep Cooking on That.

ami, otorikae shimashou ka? · Shall I change the grill for you?

role-play #japanesephrases

The Whole Platform Stepped Back at the Same Second. Nobody Looked Up. Survival ▶

The Whole Platform Stepped Back at the Same Second. Nobody Looked Up.

osagari kudasai · please step back

Listening Recognition #japanesephrases

Your App Says It Means "Nice to Meet You." People Say It to Their Dentist. Beginner ▶

Your App Says It Means "Nice to Meet You." People Say It to Their Dentist.

yoroshiku onegai shimasu · I'm in your hands, please treat me well

myth-bust #japanesephrases

A Hotel Room in Japan Without a Kettle? Just Ask for One. Survival ▶

A Hotel Room in Japan Without a Kettle? Just Ask for One.

ketoru arimasu ka? · Is there a kettle?

situation-rescue #japanesephrases

Your App Taught You "I Want." Say That to Staff and You Sound Like a Four-Year-Old. Survival ▶

Your App Taught You "I Want." Say That to Staff and You Sound Like a Four-Year-Old.

mōfu, onegai shimasu · a blanket, please

Common Mistake #japanesephrases

Your Pile of One-Yen Coins Has a Legal Limit. It Is Twenty. Beginner ▶

Your Pile of One-Yen Coins Has a Legal Limit. It Is Twenty.

kozeni demo ii desu ka · is it okay if I pay in coins?

situation-rescue #japanesephrases

You Asked Them to Say It Again. They Said the Same Word Again, Just Slower. Beginner ▶

You Asked Them to Say It Again. They Said the Same Word Again, Just Slower.

dō iu imi desu ka? · What does that mean?

Common Mistake #japanesephrases

Japan Went Cashless. This Cafe Still Will Not Take Your Card for a Four Hundred Yen Coffee. Beginner ▶

Japan Went Cashless. This Cafe Still Will Not Take Your Card for a Four Hundred Yen Coffee.

kādo wa ikura kara tsukaemasu ka? · From how much can I use a card?

situation-rescue #japanesephrases

You Nodded at One Polite Question. That Is Why Your Food Is Arriving One Plate Every Eight Minutes. Beginner ▶

You Nodded at One Polite Question. That Is Why Your Food Is Arriving One Plate Every Eight Minutes.

o-ryōri wa issho ni onegai shimasu · The food all together, please.

role-play #japanesephrases

Even Japanese People Cannot Make Out What That Sushi Chain Announcement Says. Two Words in It Mean the Next Plate Is Yours. Survival ▶

Even Japanese People Cannot Make Out What That Sushi Chain Announcement Says. Two Words in It Mean the Next Plate Is Yours.

mamonaku go-chūmon no shina ga tōchaku itashimasu · Your order will be arriving shortly.

Listening Recognition #japanesephrases

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