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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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Silver Week Starts Saturday. Those Empty Shinkansen Seats Will Still Leave Without You. Survival ▶

Silver Week Starts Saturday. Those Empty Shinkansen Seats Will Still Leave Without You.

zensha shitei-seki · all cars reserved seating

sign-decode #japantrains

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 #japantrains

Everyone Says Buy a Suica the Second You Land. Since March, 729 Stations Just Take the Card in Your Pocket. Survival ▶

Everyone Says Buy a Suica the Second You Land. Since March, 729 Stations Just Take the Card in Your Pocket.

tatchi kessai · tap to pay (contactless)

myth-bust #japantrains

The Only Empty Seats on a Packed Tokyo Train Are Upstairs. Sitting In One Costs Extra. Survival ▶

The Only Empty Seats on a Packed Tokyo Train Are Upstairs. Sitting In One Costs Extra.

guriin-sha · the paid upgrade car, a separate ticket

sign-decode #japantrains

You Missed Your Reserved Shinkansen. Do Not Buy Another Ticket. Survival ▶

You Missed Your Reserved Shinkansen. Do Not Buy Another Ticket.

noriokuremashita. · I missed my train.

situation-rescue #japantrains

You're on the Right Train. You're in the Wrong Half of It. Survival ▶

You're on the Right Train. You're in the Wrong Half of It.

kirihanashi · uncoupling: this train splits here

Listening Recognition #japantrains

Your Tokyo Train Was Five Minutes Late. The Station Hands You a Note Proving It. Survival ▶

Your Tokyo Train Was Five Minutes Late. The Station Hands You a Note Proving It.

chien shoumeisho o onegai shimasu · A delay certificate, please.

situational-roleplay #japantrains

Four Minutes to the Last Train. Don't Ask Where. Ask This. Survival ▶

Four Minutes to the Last Train. Don't Ask Where. Ask This.

mada ma ni aimasu ka? · can I still make it in time?

mini-dialogue #japantrains

Your Train Just Got Cancelled. One Word Gets Your Money Back. Survival ▶

Your Train Just Got Cancelled. One Word Gets Your Money Back.

haraimodoshi dekimasu ka? · Can I get a refund?

situational #japantrains

Fourteen Exits, One Giant Map, and You Can't Find Yourself On It. Survival ▶

Fourteen Exits, One Giant Map, and You Can't Find Yourself On It.

genzaichi · you are here (current location)

Listening Recognition #japantrains

Your Train Is On the Board and It Is Not Going to Stop. Two Kanji Warned You. Survival ▶

Your Train Is On the Board and It Is Not Going to Stop. Two Kanji Warned You.

tsūka · passes through, does not stop here

Listening Recognition #japantrains

The Train Is Packed and Four Seats Sit Empty. Two Kanji Explain Why. Survival ▶

The Train Is Packed and Four Seats Sit Empty. Two Kanji Explain Why.

yūsenseki · priority seat

cultural-explainer #japantrains

You Are Half Asleep on a Japanese Train. One Word Means Everybody Gets Off. Survival ▶

You Are Half Asleep on a Japanese Train. One Word Means Everybody Gets Off.

shuuten · the final stop, the end of the line

Listening Recognition #japantrains

Riding the Subway All Day in Japan? Say This at the Window and Stop Paying Per Ride. Beginner ▶

Riding the Subway All Day in Japan? Say This at the Window and Stop Paying Per Ride.

ichinichi jōshaken o kudasai · A one-day pass, please

situational #japantrains

Your Shinkansen Ticket Is Actually Two Tickets. The Gate Wants Both. Survival ▶

Your Shinkansen Ticket Is Actually Two Tickets. The Gate Wants Both.

tokkyūken · limited express ticket (the second ticket)

situational #japantrains

That Cheerful Jingle on the Japanese Platform Is Not Decoration. It Is a Countdown. Beginner ▶

That Cheerful Jingle on the Japanese Platform Is Not Decoration. It Is a Countdown.

doa ga shimarimasu · The doors are closing

listening-rescue #japantrains

You Fell Asleep on a Japanese Train and Woke Up Somewhere Else. Say This at the Gate. Beginner ▶

You Fell Asleep on a Japanese Train and Woke Up Somewhere Else. Say This at the Gate.

norisugoshimashita · I missed my stop.

situation-rescue #japantrains

It Is Thirty Six Degrees and the Locals Are Walking Straight Past the Coolest Car on the Train. Survival ▶

It Is Thirty Six Degrees and the Locals Are Walking Straight Past the Coolest Car on the Train.

jakureibōsha · the mildly air-conditioned car

sign-decode #japantrains

Japan Cancelled Tomorrow's Trains. It Is Sunny Outside and the Notice Is Already Up. Survival ▶

Japan Cancelled Tomorrow's Trains. It Is Sunny Outside and the Notice Is Already Up.

keikaku unkyū · planned suspension of service

sign-decode #japantrains

Your Train Just Died. Everyone Around You Is Walking to a Rival Railway. Survival ▶

Your Train Just Died. Everyone Around You Is Walking to a Rival Railway.

furikae yusou, tsukaemasu ka? · Can I use the substitute transport?

situational #japantrains

One Word in the Train Announcement Means Stand Up Now. Everything Else Is Noise. Survival ▶

One Word in the Train Announcement Means Stand Up Now. Everything Else Is Noise.

mamonaku, shibuya desu · We will be arriving at Shibuya shortly.

situational #japantrains

A Typhoon's Coming and Your Train Might Stop. Ask the Station This. Beginner ▶

A Typhoon's Coming and Your Train Might Stop. Ask the Station This.

densha, ugoitemasu ka? · Are the trains running?

Cultural Shock #japantrains

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