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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That Sentence Means There Is No Seat.
washiki shika arimasen · there's only a squat toilet
Beginner
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Wallet Gone, No Way Home. The Japanese Police Box Has a Form for This.
kaeri no denshachin o kashite itadakemasen ka. · Could you lend me the fare to get home?
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.
Survival
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The Beef Jerky in Your Bag Is a Criminal Offence at Japanese Arrivals
iie, motte imasen · No, I don't have any
Beginner
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One Japanese Sentence Gets You Anything a Shop Might Have
~ wa arimasu ka? · Do you have ~?
Survival
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Say This One Line First and Watch Every Japanese Person Slow Down for You
nihongo, chotto dake hanasemasu · I can only speak a little Japanese
Survival
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Two Stall Doors in an Old Japanese Station. Only the Kanji Tells You Which Is Which.
yōshiki · Western-style (toilet)
Survival
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You Lost Your Wallet in Japan. The Odds Are Genuinely on Your Side.
saifu o nakushimashita · I lost my wallet
Survival
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You Walk Into a Japanese Clinic Sick. Reception's First Question Isn't Your Name.
shoshin desu · It's my first visit.
Survival
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The Museum Closes at Five. It Stopped Letting People In at Four Thirty.
saishū nyūjō · last admission
Survival
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The Shaking Stops. The Word Every Announcement Says Next Isn't 地震.
yoshin · aftershock
Beginner
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The Japanese Cold Medicine Box Is All Kanji. One Question Gets You the Dose.
kore, ichinichi nankai nomeba ii desu ka? · How many times a day should I take this?
Beginner
▶
Two One Way Tickets in Japan. You Just Paid Extra for the Exact Same Trip.
oufuku de onegai shimasu · Round trip, please.
Survival
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One of These Two Kanji Is Quietly Costing You Money All Over Japan.
muryou / yuuryou · free / costs money
Survival
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You Will Speak Japanese Before You Leave the Airport. One Word Is Enough.
kankō desu · Sightseeing. (my purpose of visit)
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?
Beginner
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The Kyoto Bus Has Not Moved in Ten Minutes. Everyone Overtaking It Is on a Bicycle.
jitensha o karitai desu · I'd like to rent a bicycle.
Survival
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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.
Survival
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One Word in Japan Means 'This Is Amazing' AND 'This Is a Disaster'
yabai · no way / so good (or so bad)
Beginner
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Lost the Moment They Started Talking Fast? Ask for This.
yukkuri onegai shimasu · Slowly, please
Beginner
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38C in Japan and Now Your Forehead's on Fire. Say This at the Drugstore.
netsu ga arimasu · I have a fever
Beginner
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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?
Beginner
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Do You Need a Train, or Can You Just Walk? Ask This in Japan.
aruite ikemasu ka? · Can I walk there?
Survival
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At Japan's Summer Fireworks, the Whole Crowd Shouts One Word. It Also Means 'Clean'.
kirei · beautiful / pretty (also: clean)
Beginner
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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
▶
Your Iced Coffee in Japan Is 80% Ice. Here's the Fix.
kōri nashi de onegai shimasu · No ice, please
Survival
▶
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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