Shop in Japanese! MUST-KNOW Convenience Store Phrases

[@LeeRichardson808]

I am going to Japan in a few weeks and I am so excited to go to コンビニ！ This video taught me: - buy something to use トイレ (and ask) - onigiri and fried chicken from Lawson - Fukuro = plastic bag

[@saidmiranda1989]

A math lesson in japanese would be nice. The basic operations and terms, fractions, etc.

[@joshl.8950]

As a programmer learning Japanese, this would be nice. Math and technology terms

[@asnierkishcowboy]

Oh yeah. I am a mathematician and my dream is to read Matsumuras book on commutative algebra in its original language!

[@AesculapiusPiranha]

Okay now for some basic first grade math in Japanese. So, when you are trying to find the second order derivative of the polynomial...

[@S_T_fania]

yess

[@I___Am]

@@AesculapiusPiranha lol

[@xqueenbee8214]

I hope you make the money you deserve from this channel because you deserve every PENNY :’) you’re a blessing to us learners! Thank you Misa!

[@jmoravek8]

You're a blessing to me!

[@tailsofpearls]

That's interesting! In the US it's similar at someone's house its socially expected to ask permission to use the bathroom (usually implied by asking where it is even if they already know) but in public places like restaurants and shops you only ask if you genuinely can't figure it out.

[@zengrath]

I agree if it's not a close family member or friends house, if it's their home that you been to on many occasional i think we just stop asking to use bathroom after so many visits. A business on the other hand would be so strange to ask an employee if I can use the bathroom ,especially the larger stores etc, maybe a small mom and pop store it could make sense, but i certainly can't imagine going up to a Walmart employee asking if I can use their bathroom. However I do know there are some places in the US where you literally can't use a business's bathroom without asking or buying something first ,sometimes even keeping it locked to where you need to borrow a key or have them unlock it for you. I think this is mostly in some larger cities in busy area's where they are tired of non-customers always occupying the bathroom and making a mess.

[@jhoannafukuya]

Let’s support Misa! She’s amazing and she explain in detail.

[@jaredpatterson1701]

お手洗い so glad you went over this! I literally have had that written on a sticky note on my bathroom door for 3 years to practice and have been pronouncing it wrong 😭

[@amerikagaijin]

How have you been pronouncing it before? Tesen? XD

[@ryfitadf4215]

I learned お手洗いを借りしてもいい when my Japanese girlfriend asked a worker at Trader Joe’s, in English, “Can I borrow your bathroom?” And he couldn’t help but chuckle. Lol

[@zengrath]

Lol. Honestly it doesn't sound that strange to me, saying if i can borrow the bathroom isn't that weird to me. Not sure why but I am pretty sure i've seen American's talk like that, just depends on who you talk to. But I can see how it may be funny.

[@anabibi8178]

@@zengrath exactly, it makes sense it’s not that strange 😅

[@83hjf]

in spanish "me prestas tu baño?" (can i borrow your bathroom?) is an informal way of saying it. in some regions "me regalas tu nombre?" is a way to ask for someone's name. regalar: to give a gift or present.

[@alicepruzynska582]

actually we say that in french as well :)

[@jonhummel4341]

Misa Sensei, I work in fast food, so I can absolutely sympathize with your experiences with customers. Anyway, this is super useful. Thank you for all the great lessons.

[@anilsh7615]

Lol. I live in Japan and My Japanese friends always ask to use the bathroom, it really confused me at first. Now I know them better Sometimes I say no just as a joke, luckily they laugh 💕

[@stephenrochester6309]

Are you from the UK? Because this is a daily conversation here.

[@HlewagastizHoltijaz]

I'm Swedish and most people ask if they can use the toilet. It's nothing strange.

[@anilsh7615]

I am from the UK although I've not lived there for many years. I also ask to use the bathroom but my Japanese friends, even the one who come to my place a few times a week, ask every use 😅💕 most of them have kids so each visit they might ask 8 times if it's OK to use the bathroom. My family are very.... My house is your house, kinda people, so the super politeness was hard to get used to. I wanted my friends to feel comfortable enough to treat my place as their home. 💕

[@bobcharlotte8724]

It’s been a few years now but I love that you have to ask for a bag at the conbini. I was floored many years ago when the staff took out a tiny bag and bagged my can of coke.

[@HBombzorz]

More situational vocabulary like this, please! :D

[@googavo1d]

"Excuse me where can i take a dump?"

[@snehkumar6874]

U always give-in so much effort to teach us Japanese, so hats off to u. Thank you so much sensei.....

[@gammasponge]

I love the colors in the subtitles. Makes it very easy to follow. Thank you.

[@siobhanrose1680]

We ask to use the bathroom here, in Australia and NZ. In homes anyway. If we are very familiar with the person, ie they are close family, we won’t usually ask, we may mention we are going to use it as we leave the room, just so they know where we are headed. If they are a close friend we may say “just going to use the bathroom/toilet(?)” with a slight question mark at the end - only slight. But usually in someone’s home, you ask to use the bathroom. In businesses we will ask if there is no sign, in places like service stations/gas station (servos) there is either signs, or no signs, no signs generally you can’t use the bathroom, and if you ask, they will likely say no “staff only”. Generally if there is a sign, no matter the business, we will just follow the sign and go.

[@ARMYALEX1869]

You really put a lot of effort into your videos. Thank you for making different part of the sentences different colors. It helps a lot!

[@joebroadinjapan]

I worked as a convenience store manager for 10 years. It was a fun job, but it was a little hard sometimes. I think there is a special comradery among former convenience store workers. 😊Thank you so much for this lesson. I will definitely use this next time I go to Japan.

[@daveastation69]

Thanks so much for this! Was looking for a conbini lesson online but couldn’t find one. ありがとうございます！

[@mac-y.n.v.-me7043]

Ah, you are still doing these videos. Awesome!!

[@Temumimi]

I love how you explain all of the little cultural details about things! - when to say something, adjacent relevant circumstances, variations and acceptable alterations..! 😭💜 thank you for all of the nuanced and yet easy to understand information !

[@Zapporah85]

People laugh at my love of convenience store rice balls, but my goodness they're so tastey!!!

[@firsclod]

Yes... Onigiri are always amazing

[@anilsh7615]

Pickled plum onigiri 🙏🙏🙏🙏 thank you 7 eleven 💕

[@BeardyBaldyBob]

I loved them too, plus I had no idea what the packet was saying was in them each time, so was like a nice mystery surprise the first few times! Lol

[@EmmaSaikia]

@@anilsh7615 うめおにぎり好きも！💗

[@ripvanmarlowe]

I love Japanese convenience stores so much. I could live off the fried chicken bento boxes - so good! Thanks Misa this is really helpful!

[@kel_maire3279]

This could not have come at a better time😭 I’ve just moved to Japan and been wondering about this!!

[@rcookie5128]

Wow, your English has improves SO much since the last time I checked in!!! Your pronunciation sounds almost 100% native to my non-native ears! Impressive~

[@galx3788]

I learned a lot from this video, thank you! When I lived in Japan I always heard people saying these kinds of things when shopping but never really figured out the exact meaning of the words. And yeah, I always said thank you to the staff (with a little bow/nod) as I left so you got me there, but I'll probably continue to do so even if it isn't natural Japanese people because that's just who I am!

[@MusicmatchJukebox]

Those egg salad sandwiches. They were so delicious!

[@UrbaneHobbit]

Very useful and I will recommend as the first video for anyone visiting or moving to Japan! May I add that this channel has the best subtitles of any Japanese learning channel!

[@jonathandelarosa6830]

Misa sensei is always adorable in her videos but this one is just sooooo much adorable I can't help myself. love you always Misa sensei.

[@thecleeze6359]

This is a great video and really covers a lot of the things they will actually say to you at a konbini in Japan. I wish I had found it 3 months ago when I arrived. I'll probably need to watch it a few more times though... it's a little advanced for me, but I believe it's good to hear at a speed and complexity that's realistic because most resources I've found don't. One thing that's a little different about where I am living is that I've never seen anyone (locals) ever ask to use the restroom at a konbini. Also, here onigiri is better at Family Mart, but I completely agree about Lawson chicken.

[@stephanief5794]

I so feel you about hating getting people cigarettes and checking IDs, and I worked in a US grocery store. The customers said the same things!

[@UnTicketPourElysium]

I love this kind of situational videos. Many thanks!

[@Sleep1ng_Panda]

Thank you the subtitles with the different colors really helps a lot so thank you so much for that!

[@skyjhand104]

The colours in the text helped me so much!

[@aeri3160]

Also today, I learnt a lot from you. Misa Sensei. We love you.

[@renvigi8353]

Thank you very much for your teachings...so important and well detailed.

[@ncx8049]

最近、ファミマの明太子マヨおにぎりにハマってます。そして、セブンのブリトーが好きです。ハロウィーン限定のブリトーを楽しみにしています。笑

[@bonbonandpumpkin2463]

Wonderfully useful! And easy to memorise! Maybe you could expand it to the phrases that people say in a fast food store or in a department store.... things like ," Dine in or take away?" and "Would you like this wrapped?" That would be a great help... there's always set phrases so when you learn them and learn to recognise them, your day goes so much smoother. Thanks so much!

[@countD8852]

I love the game of, "How old do you think I am" with people! This video and Moshi-Moshi Yusuke's File 11 video pair very nicely since they're both all about Konbini-related language.

[@aliikane]

This was one of my favorite videos Japanese Ammo videos. Great to hear the insider info on the convenient stores in Japan. I'm obsessed with Japanese convenient stores and grocery stores. I practically live off of Family Mart, Lawson's and 7-11 when I'm traveling in Japan. 😂 So convenient to grab food on the go and the food is excellent compared to US convenient stores. However, my favorite convenient/grocery store I have been to in Japan is AEON Food Style. Excellent. I'd like to hear more insider info on the food in the convenient and grocery stores. 😂

[@agemadrid835]

I learned something today. I know that konbanwa is good evening, but now I know that koban is police box. You used it in a sentence “koban wa” and it worried me because I always struggle with saying good evening, and now I’m afraid I’m going to say police box to someone 🤣. Thanks for your videos! I love you❤️

[@tomariko]

コンビニで働きたい外国人として、とても役に立ちました。ありがとう御座います先生。

[@WaaDoku]

9:52 For the occasion that they don't ask you, I would add: 「これを温めてもらえますか？」= "Could you heat that up for me, please?" Happened to me once and I didn't know how to ask them kindly to heat it up and I just tried to find the right verb form of the word 温める。Thankfully, the 店員さん got it.

[@hobbes3]

I'm half Japanese and I'm watching this video to refresh my skills at convenience stores since most workers talk super fast. And if you look confused or ask again, then they usually repeat the same phrase equally fast lol. Anyway, this video is great and very in-depth! The only thing I would recommend is next time to explain in the beginning that the workers are using mostly keigo/honorific phrase, so it's special and won't be used outside of the service industry (and some work places). That's why the phrases are a bit longer than even formal phrases (which is a level below keigo).

[@hobbes3]

Also, from what I seen. Most of the time, the customers (especially men) don't say anything to the workers if they can help it lol. It's mostly understood and implied on what they want (after bringing the items to the counter). I feel it's kinda like the macho way of barely acknowledging the workers.

[@joshl.8950]

I live in Orange County where we have a store called "Tokyo Central". Maybe I can use some of these there!

[@ennis5249]

Also should go to Mitsuwa and Seiko. Good practice forsure

[@EoinTremont]

I always go to Tokyo Central in Yorba Linda! Love it there!

[@joshl.8950]

@@EoinTremont that's the one!

[@joshl.8950]

@@ennis5249 ohhhh! ありがとうございます！

[@ennis5249]

@@joshl.8950 いいえ！

[@hege4318]

So fun to learn about different cultures 😄 Here in Norway asking to use someone's bathroom depends on the relationship with the person you are visiting. If it's a friend one usually just says "eg ska bare på do" that has the same meaning as "just going to the toilet" and then just leaves for the bathroom. If it's someone's parents, acquaintance or intimate party at someone that's not close you ask if it's ok to use the bathroom ("umm, unnskyld, kan eg låna toalette?" Which means "umm, excuse me, may I borrow the toilet?") 😊 The rules are the same with public bathrooms here as explained in the video 😊

[@tobid.247]

So, I've lived my whole life in Europe (not have been in any country there though) But I have never experienced in a private household (when you are at friends) that people don't ask before using the bathroom. Maybe if you are almost every day and one friends house you won't ask anymore (due to the fact you are there almost daily) but otherwise people ask. At least my experience

[@ouichtan]

I think she's talking about public toilets in shops...you don't need to ask before going to a toilet in a shop if it's public. I think that's what she meant anyway, I might be wrong

[@coratisongames]

@@ouichtan Yeah I think it really just depends on who you're visiting or the kind of restaurant you're in. You definitely wouldn't ask to use the toilet at Mcdonald's.

[@ouichtan]

@@coratisongames In France where I come from you have to get a code from the cashiers to unlock the door for the bathroom...is that just a weird French thing or is it the same everywhere else?

[@markeldik7057]

@@ouichtan in a McDonald's? In the Netherlands they're freely accessible. The same goes for most restaurants, but (convenience) stores rarely have one available. If you're a child they will let you use the one for employees, but die adults they will definitely think it's a bit weird.

[@jamesluo7590]

@@ouichtan I think it's just a French thing. In China where I come from you don't have to ask any staff to use the bathroom. Because it's generally crowded everywhere and the staff won't even notice you. 😂

[@madrabbit4916]

Wow - your channel is great! Cant believe there is so much knowledge for free - thank you and salut from London, UK :)

[@corazonurbano2307]

yes I love lawson too that is when I was in Japan before

[@DimaDesu]

Good stuff. One note though I had to explicitly say 袋がいらない, because for some reason when I was saying 結構です or いいです they would still give the bag, I don't know what I was doing wrong.

[@aIic3]

you are an angel from heaven. doing gods work.

[@zengrath]

Interesting, i do ask to use bathroom when at a new acquaintance home but not a business like say Walmart find an employee to ask if i can use the bathroom, that would be so strange here in the U.S. And also asking a close friend or family member if i can use the bathroom in their home they would probably ask me why in the world am I asking, etc. But if I'm over a strangers home etc. yes we absolutely ask to use the bathroom. It's so interesting that learning another language isn't just about learning the language but a lot of it has to do with learning the culture and polite way of talking and doing things as well.

[@Jaakeup]

Watching this makes me think about my time in Japan. My airbnb only had one bathroom for 6 people so we always just walked to the コンビに and used that bathroom. I wonder if they thought we were rude lol. We usually bought breakfast from them afterwards though. I also said ありがとう to the cashiers all the time lol

[@TroyBrophy]

I hope you added a ございます to that ありがとう!

[@LybertyZ]

I wish I had known "karitemo ii?"

[@DEtchells]

Thanks for the recommendation for Lawson (as well as the phrases of course!) Whenever I’m in Japan (hopefully finally coming again in July on business!), I get a lot of my food from the konbini. I’ve usually gone to Family Mart or 7-11, but next time I’ll definitely look for a Lawson and check out their onigiri and chicken! 👍😋

[@RandomGameTesters]

The colored subtitles are amazing thank you!

[@rb5534]

Nice to hear your voice, you explain so clearly, now I can learn one of my favorite languages, just subscribed ! Please thank Google who showed me your site!

[@emilyc8958]

Your story about having trouble and being rushed to find the cigarettes reminded me of when I had to sell alcohol at my job when I was 16 and I didn't know any of the brands. I felt so embarrassed taking so long to find the bottle with people laughing and trying to tell me where to find it in the 3 fridges- I don't think most of them were rude though, I am just self conscious. When I had spare time I also studied the fridge to learn where things were but sometimes people would re-stack them in the wrong place. Also there is a beer called Corona that people like to put a slice of lime in and I had NO IDEA what this guy wanted from me the first time it was asked for. Eventually I went to the other fridge and cut a lime into quarters and brought him the whole lime in a bowl xD My family didn't really drink so I didn't know much about it back then

[@roimelvillacorta7722]

Thankyou misa Sensei for this useful lesson. Sometimes I cant understand what staffs were saying before but now I will do. This is very helpful coz I do visit to conbini quite often. ☺️

[@reginene]

ありがとうみさ先生❤️really really helpful!!

[@janey4319]

I just came to Japan 3 weeks ago and the conbini screen is crazy. There are so many payment methods to choose from and I don't even know what half of them are lmao

[@sdlion7287]

I remember Misa-sensei saying she liked cringy stuff so here I go: Oh... I can't believe there would be Japanese lessons in the Heaven! What an Angel!

[@Scarecrowwx]

I want to keep learning Japanese but tbh depression/low motivation keeps stopping me and idk what to do tbh but whatever, she is rly good at teaching 日本語 and i hope she keeps going :)

[@Ziggy9000]

I've been there. Try to do anything fun involving listening to Japanese like a video game with Japanese voice over. Also if you can get the Pimsleur audio CD those are great and since it's just listening it's more passive. A good thing I've learned is whenever you think of doing something you get about 5 seconds of will to get started. So whenever you think of learning Japanese click on a Misa video or something immediately. I hope I've been of some help. Good luck with life and learning Japanese.

[@Scarecrowwx]

@@Ziggy9000 I mean I listen to db legends in Japanese but that game isnt really the greatest for that and idrk what would be

[@AxionSmurf]

The level of transparency in the educational boxes is very well considered.

[@LL-bl8hd]

Oh this is great... Will save this one for next time I go to Japan (hopefully someday)!

[@miloscarapic4502]

Someday a.k.a. never buahahah 😎

[@ross1972]

Someday, once the scourge ends.

[@LeftofLife]

Thank you. Just another great lesson. Greetings from Germany.

[@ross1972]

This reminds me of nietzsche in the convenience store. He got annoyed with smokers but then realised they would get lung cancer quicker, so got quite enthusiastic about serving smokers. Everyone should watch that drama by the way its hilarious.

[@InnfidelCastro115]

I used 結構です at my local Yamazaki today and got 日本語上手`d for using that instead of 大丈夫です lol

[@arigathanks5162]

面白いｗ

[@calais5355]

みさ先生、ありがとうございます！✨ このレッスンはすごいです‼️

[@H.pylori]

Very useful video, especially since you actually worked in a kombini. Arigato gozaimasu!!

[@aethel03]

My favorite convenience store in japan is also Lawson :D I think food is better at Lawson compared to the others

[@AxionSmurf]

The number sorting system for the cigarettes is a good idea. I had the same issues with not knowing every cigarette brand in existence and the differences in their light, 110s, 120s, "full flavor" (hilarious) etc. I used to smoke and I didn't know every cigarette brand. Eventually you develop a familiarity with where they all are and can associate the space each product occupies. But when I worked retail the tobacco companies would come out with new products, eliminate others, and change the modular. Don't know about you but I often pondered upon the full life utility of knowing the "flavors", lengths, soft and hard packs, colors and designs, etc. of all of these different cancer sticks. Suprisingly there are huge differences between different cigarettes, though. I think they tweak the poisons to make it unique.

[@vivarevo1105]

Misa-sensei has helped me so much! arigatou gozaimasu!

[@まろ-o1o7q]

1:44 日本人のローソン店員からしたら嬉しい😆😆

[@ShopFoxburrow]

This was one of the most helpful videos I've ever watched! I wish I had this when I lived in Japan haha!

[@bxthechx8336]

These videos are so helpful! I can't wait to get more listening and speaking fluency!!

[@sanjanagirish4563]

I've been looking for something like this forever. Thanks a lot for this!!

[@lovezzz698]

Misa senseino lessons are so great. Thank you for all. And I hope you best. 😊

[@srum4966]

Haha, I've lived in Japan for well over 10 years, and on the few occasions I've seen customers getting angry with convenience store staff, they were always old men asking for cigarettes, but the staff not knowing where, or which ones they wanted.

[@Teebyx]

And I will add on that, every time there was a problem in a konbini, it was due to an old person... A few times they tried to cut the line and go before me, that's funny when the staff tell them to line over there like any customer...

[@TheCyberMantis]

@@Teebyx Kohai waits! Sempai goes first!

[@xllvr]

I feel like that’s not just a Japan problem though.

[@bzuku9554]

@@xllvr just a human problem lol

[@KaotikBOOO]

From experience working in a konbini in shibuya, I'd say the worst customers are usually old but the best customers are also usually old It's just like that in Japan, old people are just either awful or too kind, no in-between

[@jonmanilenio]

i subscribed because you're a good teacher... And pretty cute too!

[@tallgirl4008]

This is an excellent program! You made a very detailed explanation and it helps a lot. Thanks so much.

[@John-nz8ov]

I love her impersonations. I must've replayed 「は？２５歳なんだけどー」about 20 times. It was so cute and funny 😂

[@jikanuminogilde5188]

I think 袋はいいです is pretty easy to remember as you tend to say "Nah I'm good" in english as well :D

[@shilpakalsulkar8516]

Thank you Sensei....Have been in love with your teaching material these days.. The Informative Content of the VDO,Background as well the perfect level of Volume in the Vdo makes it very interesting to listen to.. I hear it even when I am doing my house chores & it still grabs my attention all the time...Please keep doing such good quality, interesting Vdo's & you will be having loads of Likes & Shares soon, I know... Thank you.

[@nizam_mr]

About asking direction at Koban, thats true. The policemen are so helpful that besides taking out their paper maps as reference, they even may try to call the place you are looking just to make sure the place is still as per map (just in case the place has moved) . omotenashi right there 👍

[@JohnnyG196]

I love your style of video so much! The colors really help with grammar.🧠

[@hailsatyr]

久々にこのチャネルを訪れました。大分レベル高くなってきましたね！！尊敬の気持ちしか感じません！お疲れさまでした、先生！

[@hayleyjones4466]

Thank you Misa! You are a blessing!❤

[@jytan740]

that time i was in combini, i heard fukuro irimasu ka, i think i didn't understand it at that time, in the end, the combini staff was a foreigner, he spoke in english

[@SumiMiraKhatun]

very nice explanation

[@CarlosAmegos]

First Japanese KZbinr I've found that has an English accent, cool! :)

[@olivialeslie1388]

Do you have a video explaining the different bows in Japan? If not I think that would be a helpful topic for a video. ありがとうございます!

[@abellopez1586]

Thank you for the course

[@amandososmenajr2788]

very helpful, nice..also, you speak english very well, good job!

[@michaelweston1042]

I am surprised Lawson is still around. No longer in America. There used to be one in my hometown.

[@FF2Guy]

Japanese convenience stores are amazing. They really are convenient. You could pay your bills there, make copies, basically anything you need to do in a hurry. They usually have ATM machines there as well. I'm surprised you didn't mention the fact that people don't hand money directly to cashiers. They have a little tray to put the money into. Then the cashier puts the change in the tray and the customer picks it up.

[@zeroimpact742]

Because it's not limited to convenience stores, any store in Japan will have it.

[@FF2Guy]

@@zeroimpact742 not really. Most of the smaller supermarkets that I visited didn’t have such services

[@ncx8049]

@@FF2Guy Supermarkets usually have the tray attached to the register at an elevated level. But if they have customers pay with the self-payment machine, then there's only the small tray that catches the automatically dispensed change.

[@zeroimpact742]

@@FF2Guy It is normal that money is not exchanged directly from hand to hand at the cash register in Japanese stores. The stores you saw were rare cases.

[@FF2Guy]

@@zeroimpact742 This is common in Japan but not in other countries. I just want to point it out to folks who might commit some cultural faux pas like I did in the past.

[@d42]

19:24 you usually see those circles in other contexts

[@philipbrowning3544]

From what I've heard, the konbini sound like real lifesavers for a visitor to Japan, and way nicer than (most of) the ones we have here. This is sure to be useful to many travelers, including hopefully me :)

[@kurtmanuel1323]

That was super helpful, thank you very much!

[@DanihelMetalPromotion]

Karage are the first food thing I bought at a convenience store on my first trip to Japan! They are tasty :D

[@christiangroth2677]

My kids go nuts for karage kun but our closest Lawson is like a 30 min drive 😮‍💨. We are in a super rural part of Japan.

[@Oversurge_]

The Konbini AEON has the best onigiri! Their Spicy chicken nugget onigiri was always sold out. So delicious.

[@andreamarcelo7085]

Thank you Misa sensei. I have learned a lot from you!