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
Survival
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Two Kanji in Japan Mean Absolutely Not. Learn to Spot Them.
kinshi · Prohibited, forbidden
Survival
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The Two Kanji That Mean You're Not Getting In
manseki · Full, no seats
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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Two Snacks, One Cashier, No Clue. Ask Which One Everyone Buys.
docchi ga ninki desu ka? · Which one is more popular?
Survival
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The First Thing to Say When You Step Into a Japanese Home
ojama shimasu · Thanks for having me (excuse me for intruding)
Survival
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Japanese People Don't Say 'Bye' When They Leave. They Say This.
ittekimasu · I'm heading out (and coming back)
Survival
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Your Phone Screams in Japanese and You Didn't Set an Alarm. Here's Why.
jishin desu · It's an earthquake.
Survival
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Leaving a Japanese Pharmacy? They Say This. It Isn't Goodbye.
odaiji ni · Take care / get well soon
Beginner
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First 10 Seconds at a Japanese Hotel Desk? Say This.
chekku-in onegai shimasu · Check-in, please
Survival
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You Know 'Wakarimasen'. Here's the One Word That Means the Opposite.
wakarimashita · Got it / understood
Beginner
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You Learned 1 to 10. Now Hear the Real Price
hyaku, sen, man · hundred, thousand, ten-thousand
Beginner
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Japanese Flew By Too Fast? Ask Them to Write It Down.
kaite moraemasu ka? · Could you write it down?
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
▶
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?
Beginner
▶
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.
Beginner
▶
Free Refills in Japan? Only If You Know This Word
okawari kudasai · another serving / a refill, please
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
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