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
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.
One Word in Japan Means 'This Is Amazing' AND 'This Is a Disaster'
yabai · no way / so good (or so bad)
Lost the Moment They Started Talking Fast? Ask for This.
yukkuri onegai shimasu · Slowly, please
38C in Japan and Now Your Forehead's on Fire. Say This at the Drugstore.
netsu ga arimasu · I have a fever
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?
At Japan's Summer Fireworks, the Whole Crowd Shouts One Word. It Also Means 'Clean'.
kirei · beautiful / pretty (also: clean)
That Free Sample Tray in a Japanese Food Hall? Ask Before You Reach.
shishoku dekimasu ka? · Can I try a sample?
Survival
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Hurt Yourself in Japan? The One Word the Doctor Needs to Hear
itai · it hurts / ouch
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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Japanese Flew By Too Fast? Ask Them to Write It Down.
kaite moraemasu ka? · Could you write it down?
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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Japanese Restaurants Still Ask You This Smoky Question
kin'en-seki onegai shimasu · Non-smoking seat, please
Beginner
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Japan's Summer Mosquitoes Are Ruthless. Learn This Drugstore Phrase.
mushiyoke wa arimasu ka? · Do you have bug spray?
Survival
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This Train Looks Right, But It Skips Your Stop
kakueki teisha desu ka? · Is this the local (all-stops) train?
Survival
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Your Iced Coffee in Japan Is 80% Ice. Here's the Fix.
kōri nashi de onegai shimasu · No ice, please
Survival
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Buying Omiyage in Japan? Ask This at the Register.
rappingu dekimasu ka? · Can you gift-wrap it?
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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How to Ask 'How Much Is It?' at Any Shop in Japan
ikura desu ka? · how much is it?
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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The Magic Word for Fixing Mistakes
gomen nasai · sorry
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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The Most Useful Phrase in All of Japan
onegai shimasu · please
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?
Survival
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Why the Number 4 Has Two Names in Japan
ichi, ni, san, yon, go … jū · counting 1 to 10
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
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