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
Your Flight Just Got Cancelled by a Typhoon. Check Out Is in Forty Minutes.
mou ippaku dekimasu ka? · Can I stay one more night?
Your Ryokan Is a Two Thousand Yen Taxi From the Station. It Also Runs a Free Van.
sougei basu wa arimasu ka? · Is there a shuttle bus?
Online Says Sold Out. A Window at the Entrance Is Still Selling Tickets for Today.
toujitsuken · a same-day ticket, sold at the window on the day
The Fireworks Ended. Now Staff Are Blocking the Station Entrance on Purpose.
nyuujou kisei · entry restriction: the station is letting people in in waves
The Cheapest Good Lunch in Japan Is Not on the Menu. It Is on a Board by the Door.
higawari · the daily set: today's changing lunch
The Phone in Your Karaoke Room Rings. Nobody Told You It Was a Countdown.
enchō dekimasu ka? · Can I extend?
Your Food Lands on the Counter and the Staff Apologizes to You. Nobody Did Anything Wrong.
omatase shimashita · Sorry to keep you waiting.
One Short Line Makes Japanese Staff Slow Down and Walk You Through It. Say It Before You Panic.
koko, hajimete nan desu · It's my first time here.
A Hand Reaches for Your Plate in Japan. You Are Not Finished.
mada tabete imasu · I'm still eating.
On August Seventh Japan's Calendar Says It Is Autumn. Then You Step Outside.
zansho ga kibishii desu ne · The lingering heat is brutal, isn't it.
Someone Thanks You in Japan. The Word You Memorized Is Not the One They Use.
ieie · not at all
Every Shop in Japan Shouts This at You. You Are Not Supposed to Answer.
irasshaimase · welcome in (said by shop staff)
In Japan the Ramen Shop Is Not Down the Street. It Is on the Seventh Floor.
nangai desu ka · What floor is it on?
Japan's Politest Way to Say No Literally Means I'm Okay
daijobu desu · I'm okay / no thanks
Lost the Moment They Started Talking Fast? Ask for This.
yukkuri onegai shimasu · Slowly, please
Japanese People Don't Say a Cold Goodbye. They Send You Off With This.
ki o tsukete · Take care / get home safe
38C in Japan and Now Your Forehead's on Fire. Say This at the Drugstore.
netsu ga arimasu · I have a fever
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
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?
Do You Need a Train, or Can You Just Walk? Ask This in Japan.
aruite ikemasu ka? · Can I walk there?
The Konbini Cashier Asks You One Word. Freeze No More.
atatamemasu ka? · Shall I heat it up?
Your Japanese Host Keeps Refilling Your Plate. Say This or It Never Stops.
onaka ippai desu · I'm full, thank you
The One Word That Makes Every Japanese Shopkeeper Smile at You
kawaii! · (so) cute!
Japanese People Say This 10 Times a Day. English Has No Word for It.
otsukaresama desu · Thanks for your effort, good work
The Two Kanji That Mean You're Not Getting In
manseki · Full, no seats
Handed Natto in Japan? 'I Don't Like It' Is the Wrong Answer.
chotto nigate desu · It's not really my thing
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?
When a Japanese Friend Says 'Next Time', They Often Mean No
mata kondo · Next time (a polite no)
Couldn't Finish Your Ramen in Japan? Ask This Before You Box It Up.
mochikaeri dekimasu ka? · Can I take this to go?
Two Snacks, One Cashier, No Clue. Ask Which One Everyone Buys.
docchi ga ninki desu ka? · Which one is more popular?
The First Thing to Say When You Step Into a Japanese Home
ojama shimasu · Thanks for having me (excuse me for intruding)
Japanese People Don't Say 'Bye' When They Leave. They Say This.
ittekimasu · I'm heading out (and coming back)
Your Phone Screams in Japanese and You Didn't Set an Alarm. Here's Why.
jishin desu · It's an earthquake.
Leaving a Japanese Pharmacy? They Say This. It Isn't Goodbye.
odaiji ni · Take care / get well soon
First 10 Seconds at a Japanese Hotel Desk? Say This.
chekku-in onegai shimasu · Check-in, please
You Know 'Wakarimasen'. Here's the One Word That Means the Opposite.
wakarimashita · Got it / understood
Last Train's Gone in Tokyo? Ask the Front Desk This.
takushii o yonde kudasai · Please call a taxi
Beginner
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35C at a Japanese Beer Garden? This Is the Only Phrase You Need.
nama biiru kudasai · A draft beer, please
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
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
Beginner
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Summer Killed Your Appetite but Not the Rice Bowl. One Word Fixes It.
gohan sukuname de onegai shimasu · smaller rice portion, please
Beginner
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The Ramen Line Wraps the Block. Ten Minutes or an Hour? Ask This.
dono kurai machimasu ka? · how long is the wait?
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
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Phone Dead in Shibuya? The Two Words That Get You the Time
ima, nanji desu ka? · What time is it now?
Beginner
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Vegetarian in Japan? The Phrase That Keeps Meat Off Your Plate
niku wa taberaremasen · I can't eat meat.
Beginner
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Tokyo Taxi Feels Like a Sauna? The Polite Way to Ask for AC.
eakon o tsukete kudasai · Please turn on the AC.
Beginner
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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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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
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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
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Sitting in the Wrong Shinkansen Seat? This One Question Fixes It
jiyūseki desu ka, shiteiseki desu ka? · Is it unreserved or reserved seating?
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.
Beginner
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Wrong Dish at Your Table in Japan? Fix It Without Being Rude
chigaimasu · That's not right.
Survival
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911 Won't Work in Japan - the One Phrase That Will
keisatsu o yonde kudasai · Please call the police.
Beginner
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Can't Eat Pork in Japan? Memorize This One Sentence
buta-niku wa haitte imasu ka? · Does it contain pork?
Beginner
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Free Refills in Japan? Only If You Know This Word
okawari kudasai · another serving / a refill, please
Survival
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Hear THIS Word in Japan? Freeze.
abunai! · watch out! / danger!
Survival
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Feeling Sick in the Japan Heat? The One Phrase That Gets You Help Fast
kibun ga warui desu · I feel unwell
Survival
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The Firm Way to Ask Someone to Stop in Japan
yamete kudasai · please stop
Beginner
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Getting in a Tokyo Taxi? Say Where You're Going in Three Words
~ made onegai shimasu · To ~, please.
Survival
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Cashier Moving Too Quick? The Polite Way to Say 'Hold On a Second' in Japan
chotto matte kudasai · wait a moment, please
Beginner
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Walking Into a Japanese Restaurant? The First Thing They Ask You
futari desu · Two of us. / Table for two.
Survival
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The Greeting You'll Say 20 Times a Day in Japan (It Changes by the Hour)
konnichiwa · hello / good day
Beginner
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The One Emergency Sentence to Know in Japan
kyūkyūsha o yonde kudasai · please call an ambulance
Survival
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The Easy Way to Ask for an English Menu
eigo no menyuu o onegai shimasu · I'd like the menu, please
Beginner
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Japanese Train Etiquette — The One Rule Tourists Always Forget
denwa wa dame desu ka? · are phone calls not allowed?
Survival
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Where to Park Your Car in Japan — The One Phrase for Tourist Drivers
chuushajou wa doko desu ka? · where is the parking lot?
Survival
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Where to Get a SIM Card in Japan — The Survival Phrase
shimu kaado wa doko desu ka? · where is the SIM card?
Survival
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Where to Exchange Money in Japan — The One Phrase You Need
kaseko wa doko desu ka? · where is the currency exchange?
Beginner
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All Japanese Menu? This Phrase Picks Your Meal for You
osusume wa arimasu ka · Do you have any recommendations?
Survival
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Asked for Directions in Japan? Now Actually Understand the Answer
massugu / migi / hidari · straight / right / left
Beginner
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No Reservation in Tokyo? This Phrase Can Still Get You In.
yoyaku shitai ndesu ga · i'd like to make a reservation
Survival
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Feeling Sick in Japan? Know This Phrase Before You Need It
doraggu sutoa wa doko desu ka · Where is the drugstore?
Beginner
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Caught in Tokyo Rain? Borrow This Phrase and a Raincoat
kasatte kudasai · Please lend it to me
Survival
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The Polite Thank You That Closes Every Interaction in Japan
arigatou gozaimasu · thank you very much
Survival
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You're Not Ready to Buy. Three Words Get You Out Gracefully.
mata kimasu · i'll come back later
Survival
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The Place Is Packed. Ask This Before You Stand in Line.
koko de matte mo ii desu ka? · may i wait here?
Beginner
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One Fill-in-the-Blank Phrase Gets You Anything in a Japanese Shop
~ wa arimasu ka? · do you have ~?
Survival
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How to Find the Exit in Japan
deguchi · exit
Beginner
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How to Say 'That's All' at a Japanese Restaurant
i-jō desu · that's all
Intermediate
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The Word You Say Leaving a Japanese Restaurant (Not Arigatō)
gochisōsama deshita · thanks for the meal
![I'm From [Country]](/t/videos/tourist-from-country.jpg)
Beginner
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I'm From [Country]
amerika kara kimashita · I'm from America
Survival
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I'm OK → The Most Useful Phrase in Japan
daijōbu desu · I'm okay / no thanks
Survival
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It's Pouring in Japan — and There's a Machine by Every Door You're Walking Past
kasa-bukuro · umbrella sleeve
Beginner
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Ask This Before You Order — Japan Is Still Cash Country
kādo de ii desu ka? · can I pay by card?
Beginner
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Your Reset Button When Japanese Comes Back Too Fast
yukkuri onegai shimasu · slowly, please
Survival
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The Phrase That Saves You When the Line Forms Behind You
chotto matte kudasai · one moment, please
Intermediate
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Getting on a Japanese Bus the Wrong Way Costs You Money
seiriken · numbered fare ticket
Survival
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The One Japanese Phrase You'll Be Glad You Learned
toire wa doko desu ka? · where is the toilet?
Survival
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Scared of the Language Barrier? Start With This
eigo, daijōbu desu ka? · is English okay? / do you speak English?
Survival
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The One Phrase That Tells You the Price in Japan
ikura desu ka? · how much is it?
Survival
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The First 2 Japanese Words You Need: Yes & No
hai / iie · yes / no
Intermediate
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Never Touch a Taxi Door in Japan
~ made onegai shimasu. · To ~, please.
Intermediate
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Japan's Rainy-Season Rule Tourists Always Miss
Kasa, koko de ii desu ka? · Is it okay to leave my umbrella here?
Intermediate
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The Word Locals Say to You All Summer in Japan
Atsui desu ne. · It's hot, isn't it.
Intermediate
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One Japanese Word Does the Job of Three
sumimasen · excuse me / sorry / thank you
Intermediate
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Stop Saying Sayōnara — Japanese People Rarely Do
jaa ne · See you / bye (casual)
Intermediate
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The Summer Outfit Locals Wear to Festivals (and What to Say)
yukata · summer cotton kimono
Intermediate
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Why You Can't Just Say 'Two' When Ordering in Japan
futatsu kudasai · Two, please.
Intermediate
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How to Get Free Water at Any Japanese Restaurant
o-mizu o kudasai · Water, please.
Beginner
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Lost in Japanese? This Phrase Saves You
nihongo, wakarimasen · I do not understand Japanese
Beginner
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How to Ask for the Bill in Japan
okaikei, onegai shimasu · check, please
Beginner
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Mystery Food in Japan? Just Ask What It Is
kore wa nan desu ka? · what is this?
Intermediate
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Got a Cold in Japan? The One Phrase to Get Medicine at the Drugstore
kaze-gusuri wa arimasu ka · Do you have cold medicine?
Intermediate
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Why Japanese People Keep Saying This While You Talk
sō desu ka · oh, I see / is that so (the 'I'm listening' sound)
Intermediate
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You're Probably Saying 'Thank You' Wrong in Japan
dōmo / arigatō gozaimasu · thanks (casual) / thank you very much (polite)
Intermediate
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The 3 Japanese Words That Unlock 80% of a Trip
sumimasen / onegaishimasu / arigatō gozaimasu · excuse me / please / thank you very much
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