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
Beginner
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Your Textbook Said Never Ask for a Box. Ask Anyway.
pakku ni dekimasu ka? · Can you box this up?
Beginner
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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?
Survival
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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.
Survival
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The Best Food in the Station Is Behind a Gate You Have No Ticket For
nyūjōken o kudasai. · One admission ticket, please.
Beginner
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You Came for Conveyor Belt Sushi. Most Chains Stopped Rotating It.
chūmon wa tatchi paneru desu ka? · Do I order on the touch panel?
Survival
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No Eating While You Walk, No Bins. So Where Does the Skewer Go?
gomi, onegai dekimasu ka? · Could you take this rubbish for me?
Beginner
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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.
Beginner
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One Question at a Japanese Register Decides Whether Your Food Comes in a Bag or on a Tray
ie, mochikaeri desu. · No, it's takeout.
Beginner
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You Walked Thirty Minutes to That Restaurant in Japan. It Needed a Booking.
yoyaku wa hitsuyō desu ka · Do I need a reservation?
Survival
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Japan Doesn't Hand You a Napkin. One Word Summons It
tishu arimasu ka? · Napkin, do you have one?
Survival
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The Waiter Came Back, Said One Short Phrase, and Is Now Just Standing There.
mada desu · not yet (I need another minute)
Survival
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Money's In, You Can't Read a Single Button. This One Gets It Back.
torikeshi · cancel
Beginner
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The Ramen Shop Asks How You Want Your Noodles. Say Nothing and You Get the Boring Answer.
katame de onegai shimasu · Firm, please
Beginner
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"Sorry, We Are Full." In Japan That Is Not the End of the Conversation.
kyanseru-machi wa dekimasu ka? · Can I go on the cancellation waiting list?
Survival
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The Ramen Cook Just Added an Egg You Did Not Order. One Word Tells You If It Is Free.
kore, saabisu desu · This one is on the house.
Survival
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The Counter Asks You One Word Before Your Food Is Rung Up. Say This or the Sides Never Come.
setto de · The set, please.
Survival
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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
Survival
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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
Survival
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You Walked Twenty Five Minutes in the Heat. The Card on That Door Says Closed Every Tuesday.
teikyūbi · regular weekly closing day
Beginner
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Couldn't Finish Your Ramen in Japan? Ask This Before You Box It Up.
mochikaeri dekimasu ka? · Can I take this to go?
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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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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Japanese Restaurants Still Ask You This Smoky Question
kin'en-seki onegai shimasu · Non-smoking seat, please
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
▶
Can You Read This Izakaya Menu?
yakitori · grilled chicken skewers
Beginner
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Wrong Dish at Your Table in Japan? Fix It Without Being Rude
chigaimasu · That's not right.
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
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 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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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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Free Water in Japan Is Served HOT. Here's How to Ask for It.
oyu wo kudasai · hot water, please
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?
Survival
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Walking Into a Tiny Tokyo Restaurant? Say THIS First
Menyū o kudasai · Menu, please
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