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Survival Japanese for train travel – HearSay

Japanese A1

Master essential Japanese for riding trains, shopping, and dining. Practice listening and speaking on the go as you explore Japan.

Lessons

Basic greetings and polite phrases
Learn the most common greetings to start interactions politely.
Vocabulary
- おはようございます (Good morning)
- すみません (Excuse me)
- はい (Yes)
- いいえ (No)
- お願いします (Please)
Objectives
- Greet people politely in the morning
- Get someone's attention respectfully
Essential train station words
Identify basic transport terms to get your bearings at the station.
Vocabulary
- 駅 (Station)
- 電車 (Train)
- 切符 (Ticket)
- どこ (Where)
- です (Is/Am/Are)
Objectives
- Identify train stations and trains
- Ask where something is located
Asking for prices
Point out items and ask how much they cost.
Vocabulary
- いくら (How much)
- 円 (Yen)
- これ (This)
- それ (That)
- あれ (That over there)
Objectives
- Ask how much something costs
- Point out specific items nearby or far away
Finding the ticket gate
Navigate your way in and out of the train station.
Vocabulary
- 改札口 (Ticket gate)
- 入口 (Entrance)
- 出口 (Exit)
- 右 (Right)
- 左 (Left)
Objectives
- Find entrances and exits
- Understand basic left and right directions
Asking about train destinations
Make sure you are getting on the right train.
Vocabulary
- 東京 (Tokyo)
- 京都 (Kyoto)
- 行き (Bound for)
- 次 (Next)
- ホーム (Platform)
Objectives
- Find the right platform
- Identify train destinations
Checking departure times
Learn to ask about times so you never miss your train.
Vocabulary
- 何時 (What time)
- 出発 (Departure)
- 到着 (Arrival)
- 今 (Now)
- 時間 (Time)
Objectives
- Ask for the current time
- Understand departure and arrival concepts
Different types of trains
Distinguish between local trains and high-speed rail options.
Vocabulary
- 新幹線 (Bullet train)
- 特急 (Limited express)
- 普通 (Local train)
- 指定席 (Reserved seat)
- 自由席 (Unreserved seat)
Objectives
- Differentiate between train speeds
- Understand seating options
Buying tickets for others
Purchase tickets for multiple people and trips.
Vocabulary
- 大人 (Adult)
- 子供 (Child)
- 一枚 (One ticket)
- 二枚 (Two tickets)
- 往復 (Round trip)
Objectives
- Buy tickets for adults and children
- Request a round-trip ticket
Finding station facilities
Locate essential services inside a large train station.
Vocabulary
- トイレ (Toilet)
- エレベーター (Elevator)
- 階段 (Stairs)
- コインロッカー (Coin locker)
- まっすぐ (Straight)
Objectives
- Locate restrooms and elevators
- Find a coin locker to store bags
Navigating large station exits
Learn directional exits to meet friends or transfer trains.
Vocabulary
- 北口 (North exit)
- 南口 (South exit)
- 東口 (East exit)
- 西口 (West exit)
- 乗り換え (Transfer)
Objectives
- Meet at specific compass-direction exits
- Navigate train transfers
Using other public transport
Find your way to buses, taxis, and subways outside the station.
Vocabulary
- 地下鉄 (Subway)
- バス (Bus)
- タクシー (Taxi)
- 乗り場 (Boarding area)
- 歩いて (On foot)
Objectives
- Find the bus or taxi stand
- Ask if you can walk to a destination
Asking about distances
Determine how far away your destination is.
Vocabulary
- 近い (Near)
- 遠い (Far)
- ここ (Here)
- そこ (There)
- あそこ (Over there)
Objectives
- Describe general locations
- Ask if a place is near or far
Shopping at convenience stores
Pick up basic food items at a local konbini.
Vocabulary
- コンビニ (Convenience store)
- お弁当 (Box lunch)
- お茶 (Tea)
- 水 (Water)
- パン (Bread)
Objectives
- Locate a convenience store
- Buy basic food and drink items
Buying hot snacks
Understand the cashier when buying hot food and snacks.
Vocabulary
- おにぎり (Rice ball)
- サンドイッチ (Sandwich)
- コーヒー (Coffee)
- 温めますか (Shall I warm it up?)
- 袋 (Bag)
Objectives
- Buy rice balls and sandwiches
- Respond to the cashier's questions about warming food or bags
Paying for your shopping
Handle money and payment methods confidently.
Vocabulary
- お金 (Money)
- 現金 (Cash)
- クレジットカード (Credit card)
- お釣り (Change)
- レシート (Receipt)
Objectives
- Pay with cash or card
- Understand and ask for change or a receipt
Shopping at station kiosks
Grab a quick souvenir or umbrella before catching your train.
Vocabulary
- お土産 (Souvenir)
- 雑誌 (Magazine)
- 傘 (Umbrella)
- 高い (Expensive)
- 安い (Cheap)
Objectives
- Buy souvenirs and travel essentials
- Comment on whether prices are high or low
Finding a place to eat
Locate a restaurant and talk about the menu.
Vocabulary
- レストラン (Restaurant)
- カフェ (Cafe)
- メニュー (Menu)
- 注文 (Order)
- 美味しい (Delicious)
Objectives
- Ask for a menu to order
- Compliment the food
Identifying types of food
Recognize basic food categories to know what you are ordering.
Vocabulary
- 肉 (Meat)
- 魚 (Fish)
- 野菜 (Vegetables)
- ご飯 (Rice)
- 麺 (Noodles)
Objectives
- Recognize basic ingredients on a menu
- Order a simple meal component
Ordering popular Japanese dishes
Order classic Japanese foods and describe their taste.
Vocabulary
- ラーメン (Ramen)
- 寿司 (Sushi)
- 定食 (Set meal)
- 辛い (Spicy)
- 甘い (Sweet)
Objectives
- Order ramen or a set meal
- Describe tastes like spicy or sweet
Explaining dietary requirements
Communicate allergies or specific meat preferences.
Vocabulary
- アレルギー (Allergy)
- 豚肉 (Pork)
- 牛肉 (Beef)
- 鳥肉 (Chicken)
- 卵 (Egg)
Objectives
- State food allergies clearly
- Ask about specific meat types in a dish
Paying the restaurant bill
Use common mealtime etiquette and pay for your food.
Vocabulary
- お会計 (The bill)
- ごちそうさまでした (Thank you for the meal)
- いただきます (Let's eat)
- 別々 (Separate)
- 割り勘 (Split the bill)
Objectives
- Use polite mealtime greetings
- Ask to pay the bill separately
Getting a table
Make a reservation and state your party size at a busy restaurant.
Vocabulary
- 予約 (Reservation)
- 何名 (How many people)
- 一人 (One person)
- 二人 (Two people)
- 満席 (Full/No seats)
Objectives
- State your party size
- Ask for a table or understand if it is full
Finding essential places
Ask for directions to important city landmarks.
Vocabulary
- ホテル (Hotel)
- 銀行 (Bank)
- 病院 (Hospital)
- 警察 (Police)
- 薬局 (Pharmacy)
Objectives
- Ask for directions to a hotel
- Locate a pharmacy or hospital
Following street directions
Understand basic instructions to walk to your destination.
Vocabulary
- 地図 (Map)
- 交差点 (Intersection)
- 信号 (Traffic light)
- 角 (Corner)
- 渡る (Cross)
Objectives
- Read or ask about a simple map
- Understand walking directions involving corners and lights
Reporting lost items
Explain what you have lost to station staff or police.
Vocabulary
- 迷子 (Lost person)
- 忘れ物 (Lost item)
- 財布 (Wallet)
- 携帯電話 (Cell phone)
- パスポート (Passport)
Objectives
- Report a lost wallet or phone
- Seek help for lost items at the station
Asking for language help
Bridge the communication gap when you don't understand.
Vocabulary
- 助けて (Help me)
- わかりません (I don't understand)
- 英語 (English)
- 話せますか (Can you speak?)
- ゆっくり (Slowly)
Objectives
- Ask if someone speaks English
- Ask someone to speak slowly
Handling minor emergencies
Communicate distress and ask for something to be repeated.
Vocabulary
- もう一度 (One more time)
- 大丈夫 (Okay/Fine)
- 痛い (Painful)
- 気持ち悪い (Feeling sick)
- 救急車 (Ambulance)
Objectives
- Ask someone to repeat themselves
- Describe a physical problem or illness
Saying goodbye and reflecting
Wrap up your travels with friendly farewells and gratitude.
Vocabulary
- ありがとう (Thank you)
- さようなら (Goodbye)
- 気をつけて (Take care)
- 楽しい (Fun)
- 旅 (Trip)
Objectives
- Express gratitude to helpers
- Wish someone a safe trip