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.
The Phone in Your Karaoke Room Rings. Nobody Told You It Was a Countdown.
enchō dekimasu ka? · Can I extend?
It Is Thirty Six Degrees and the Locals Are Walking Straight Past the Coolest Car on the Train.
jakureibōsha · the mildly air-conditioned car
Japan Cancelled Tomorrow's Trains. It Is Sunny Outside and the Notice Is Already Up.
keikaku unkyū · planned suspension of service
You Bought the Festival Food. Now Do Not Take a Single Step.
tabearuki kinshi · no eating while walking
You Walked Twenty Five Minutes in the Heat. The Card on That Door Says Closed Every Tuesday.
teikyūbi · regular weekly closing day
The Izakaya Is Full, the Lights Are On, and They Just Turned You Away at the Door.
kashikiri · privately booked, reserved for one group
You Wave. You Cough. Nobody Comes. There Is a Button Right Next to Your Hand.
yobidashi botan · call button
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.
You Land at Nine. Check In Is at Three. Here Is the Sentence, and the Answer You Will Actually Get.
hayame ni chekku-in dekimasu ka · Can I check in early?
That Sign Is Not Saying Please Be Careful. Japanese Has a Way of Saying No Without the Word No.
tabearuki wa go-enryo kudasai · Please refrain from eating while walking.
It Is Thirty Five Degrees Outside and the Konbini Shelf Just Turned Into Autumn.
kikan gentei · limited time only
It Was Cloudless an Hour Ago. Japan Has a Word for the Wall of Water Now Coming Down.
gerira gouu · sudden localized downpour
Your Train Just Died. Everyone Around You Is Walking to a Rival Railway.
furikae yusou, tsukaemasu ka? · Can I use the substitute transport?
The Big Number on a Japanese Price Tag Is Not the One You Pay.
zeikomi · tax included
The Karaoke Desk Asks One Thing Before They Hand You a Room.
nijikan de onegai shimasu · Two hours, please.
Someone Thanks You in Japan. The Word You Memorized Is Not the One They Use.
ieie · not at all
Twenty Five Thousand Steps a Day in Thirty Six Degrees. Your Feet Give Out Before Your Japanese Does.
bansoukou · adhesive bandage / plaster
Mid August You Walk to That Ramen Shop and It Is Dark. The Whole Street Took the Same Week Off.
obon wa oyasumi desu ka? · Are you closed for Obon?
You Found Platform 14. You Found Seat 12A. You Are Still About to Miss the Shinkansen.
gōsha · car number
You Just Bought 3,000 Yen of Kyoto Sweets. It Is 36 Degrees. Ask for This at the Register.
horeizai o irete moraemasu ka? · Could you put in an ice pack?
It Is Not Raining in Tokyo. So Why Is Everyone Walking Under an Umbrella?
higasa · sun parasol
Survival
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Lights On, Staff Inside, Door Unlocked. This Little Sign Still Means Go Away.
junbi-chū · preparing, not open yet
One Word in the Train Announcement Means Stand Up Now. Everything Else Is Noise.
mamonaku, shibuya desu · We will be arriving at Shibuya shortly.
Don't Knock. The Little Window Already Answered You.
shiyouchuu · in use / occupied
You Dropped Your Phone in Tokyo. This Tiny Building Gets It Back.
kouban · neighbourhood police box
Every Shop in Japan Shouts This at You. You Are Not Supposed to Answer.
irasshaimase · welcome in (said by shop staff)
Two ATMs on the Same Street in Japan. Only One Takes Your Foreign Card.
kaigai no kaado wa tsukaemasu ka? · Can I use a foreign card?
It Is 36 Degrees and She Just Threw a Bucket of Water at the Pavement. She Is Not Cleaning.
uchimizu · sprinkling water to cool the street
A Stranger Just Sat Down at Your Table in Tokyo. The Staff Put Them There.
aiseki · sharing a table with a stranger
A Stranger in Japan Will Chase You Down the Street to Return a Coin. Here's How to Be That Stranger.
otoshimashita yo · You dropped this.
The Konbini Screen Just Lit Up With Four Kanji. It's Asking How Old You Are.
nenrei kakunin · age check
Japan Runs on Machines That Won't Explain Themselves. This Sentence Makes a Human Appear.
tsukaikata o oshiete kudasai · Please show me how to use this.
In Japan the Cashier Might Not Hand You the Receipt. Here's How to Ask.
reshīto kudasai · A receipt, please
Booked a Ryokan? Breakfast Is Half the Reason You Came. Ask What Time It Starts.
asagohan wa nanji desu ka · What time is breakfast?
At a Japanese Konbini, the Clerk Asks About a Bag. Saying No Saves You Money.
fukuro wa irimasen · I don't need a bag
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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Want to Try On That Jacket in Tokyo? Say This Before You Step In
Kore o shichaku shite mo ii desu ka? · May I try this on?
Survival
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Need a Bathroom in Japan? Say THIS — Not 'Toilet Doko'
Toire, o-kari shite mo ii desu ka? · May I use your restroom?
Survival
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The Great Trash Can Hunt
gomi-bako wa doko desu ka? · where is the trash can?
Survival
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Asking for Help Politely
sumimasen, tasukete kudasai · Excuse me, please help me
Beginner
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Locals Eat THIS to Survive Japan's Summer (Not Just Water)
shio-ame · salt candy
Survival
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I'm OK → The Most Useful Phrase in Japan
daijōbu desu · I'm okay / no thanks
Intermediate
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The Color That Tells You Hot or Cold on a Japanese Vending Machine
tsumetai / atatakai · cold / warm
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?
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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Rain Ruining Your Japan Trip? June Is Secretly Its Prettiest Month
ajisai · hydrangea
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