🗨️ Phrases 2Downloaded learning report · Pixel

Think in Japanese

Learn naturally. Speak confidently. 一緒に日本語を学ぼう!

Chibi teacher mascot
Sensei Mode

Think in Japanese

Learn naturally. Speak confidently. 一緒に日本語を学ぼう!

Getting Started
Use the portal as a guided study path: • Learn phrases in Parts 1–3 • Study characters in Reading Aid and Frequency Deck • Practice in Kana Dojo and Kanji Hub • Follow the 90-Day Tracker and Study Plan • Reduce romaji over time. Small daily practice is more effective than occasional marathon sessions.
Japanese flagPuerto Rican flag

Think in Japanese: 100 Casual Phrases, Part 2

Casual inner-monologue phrases, “how do you say…” patterns, curiosity phrases, travel thoughts, work/debug thoughts, and a fun Osaka/Kansai-ben section.

Puerto Rican Spanish angle: Kansai-ben/Osaka dialect is not just “slang Japanese,” but it often carries a warmer, more direct, more playful rhythm compared with standard Tokyo-style Japanese. That makes it a fun mental bridge if Puerto Rican Spanish feels like your natural fast, expressive, flavor-loaded version of Spanish.

How to practice

Read the Japanese first, say the romaji out loud, then look at the literal brain translation. The goal is to feel the Japanese structure without overthinking English grammar.

Casual warning

Most of these are casual. Great for thinking, friends, travel moments, and self-talk. Use softer or polite forms with strangers or at work.

Osaka/Kansai section

Use these for fun recognition first. They are expressive and memorable, but standard Japanese is safer until you know the situation.

Responsive phrase cards
Memorized: 0 / 0 0%
1
これは何て言うの?
Romaji
Kore wa nan te iu no?
Natural English
How do you say this?
Literal Brain Translation
This — what called?
Category
Casual
2
英語で何て言うの?
Romaji
Eigo de nan te iu no?
Natural English
How do you say it in English?
Literal Brain Translation
In English — what called?
Category
Casual
3
日本語で何て言うんだっけ?
Romaji
Nihongo de nan te iun dakke?
Natural English
How do you say it in Japanese again?
Literal Brain Translation
In Japanese — what was it called again?
Category
Casual
4
これ、何だろう?
Romaji
Kore, nan darou?
Natural English
Hmm, I wonder what this is.
Literal Brain Translation
This — what, I wonder?
Category
Curious
5
あれ、何だろう?
Romaji
Are, nan darou?
Natural English
I wonder what that is.
Literal Brain Translation
That — what, I wonder?
Category
Curious
6
これって何?
Romaji
Kore tte nani?
Natural English
What is this thing?
Literal Brain Translation
This thing — what?
Category
Casual
7
どういう意味?
Romaji
Dou iu imi?
Natural English
What does that mean?
Literal Brain Translation
What kind of meaning?
Category
Casual
8
これ、どう使うの?
Romaji
Kore, dou tsukau no?
Natural English
How do I use this?
Literal Brain Translation
This — how use?
Category
Useful
9
これで合ってる?
Romaji
Kore de atteru?
Natural English
Is this right?
Literal Brain Translation
With this — matching/right?
Category
Self-check
10
これでいいかな?
Romaji
Kore de ii kana?
Natural English
I wonder if this is okay.
Literal Brain Translation
With this — good, I wonder?
Category
Self-check
11
何か違う気がする。
Romaji
Nanka chigau ki ga suru.
Natural English
Something feels off.
Literal Brain Translation
Somehow different feeling does.
Category
Self-check
12
たぶんこれかな。
Romaji
Tabun kore kana.
Natural English
Maybe this one.
Literal Brain Translation
Probably this, I wonder.
Category
Self-check
13
あ、これか。
Romaji
A, kore ka.
Natural English
Oh, this is it.
Literal Brain Translation
Ah, this, huh.
Category
Realization
14
なるほど、そういうことか。
Romaji
Naruhodo, sou iu koto ka.
Natural English
Ah, I see, that's what it means.
Literal Brain Translation
I see — that kind of thing, huh.
Category
Realization
15
今わかった。
Romaji
Ima wakatta.
Natural English
I get it now.
Literal Brain Translation
Now understood.
Category
Realization
16
今日は頭が回らない。
Romaji
Kyou wa atama ga mawaranai.
Natural English
My brain isn't working today.
Literal Brain Translation
Today — head not spinning.
Category
Inner thought
17
ちょっと考えよう。
Romaji
Chotto kangaeyou.
Natural English
Let me think for a second.
Literal Brain Translation
A little — let's think.
Category
Inner thought
18
焦らなくていい。
Romaji
Aseranakute ii.
Natural English
No need to rush.
Literal Brain Translation
Not rushing is good.
Category
Calming
19
ゆっくりでいい。
Romaji
Yukkuri de ii.
Natural English
Slow is fine.
Literal Brain Translation
Slowly is good.
Category
Calming
20
まあ、なんとかなる。
Romaji
Maa, nantoka naru.
Natural English
Eh, I'll figure it out.
Literal Brain Translation
Well, somehow it becomes.
Category
Calming
21
まずはこれから。
Romaji
Mazu wa kore kara.
Natural English
First, let's start with this.
Literal Brain Translation
First — from this.
Category
Focus
22
一個ずつやろう。
Romaji
Ikko zutsu yarou.
Natural English
Let's do it one at a time.
Literal Brain Translation
One by one — let's do.
Category
Focus
23
今はこれに集中。
Romaji
Ima wa kore ni shuuchuu.
Natural English
Focus on this for now.
Literal Brain Translation
Now — on this focus.
Category
Focus
24
あとで考えよう。
Romaji
Ato de kangaeyou.
Natural English
I'll think about it later.
Literal Brain Translation
Later — let's think.
Category
Focus
25
忘れないようにしよう。
Romaji
Wasurenai you ni shiyou.
Natural English
Let me make sure I don't forget.
Literal Brain Translation
So as not forget — let's do.
Category
Reminder
26
メモしとこう。
Romaji
Memo shitokou.
Natural English
Let me write that down.
Literal Brain Translation
Memo — do in advance.
Category
Reminder
27
これは覚えたい。
Romaji
Kore wa oboetai.
Natural English
I want to remember this.
Literal Brain Translation
This — want to memorize.
Category
Learning
28
これは使えそう。
Romaji
Kore wa tsukaesou.
Natural English
This seems useful.
Literal Brain Translation
This — seems usable.
Category
Learning
29
自然に言えるようになりたい。
Romaji
Shizen ni ieru you ni naritai.
Natural English
I want to be able to say it naturally.
Literal Brain Translation
Naturally say-able — want to become.
Category
Learning
30
今の言い方、いいね。
Romaji
Ima no iikata, ii ne.
Natural English
That way of saying it was nice.
Literal Brain Translation
Now's way of saying — good, right?
Category
Learning
31
へえ、そうなんだ。
Romaji
Hee, sou nan da.
Natural English
Ohh, really?
Literal Brain Translation
Oh — so it is.
Category
Reaction
32
まじで?
Romaji
Maji de?
Natural English
Seriously?
Literal Brain Translation
For real?
Category
Reaction
33
うそでしょ。
Romaji
Uso desho.
Natural English
No way.
Literal Brain Translation
Lie, right?
Category
Reaction
34
やっぱりね。
Romaji
Yappari ne.
Natural English
I knew it.
Literal Brain Translation
As expected, right.
Category
Reaction
35
そうかもしれない。
Romaji
Sou kamo shirenai.
Natural English
That might be true.
Literal Brain Translation
So may-not-know.
Category
Reaction
36
たしかに。
Romaji
Tashika ni.
Natural English
True.
Literal Brain Translation
Certainly.
Category
Reaction
37
それはあるね。
Romaji
Sore wa aru ne.
Natural English
Yeah, that's a thing.
Literal Brain Translation
That — exists, right.
Category
Reaction
38
わかる。
Romaji
Wakaru.
Natural English
I get it.
Literal Brain Translation
Understand.
Category
Reaction
39
わかる気がする。
Romaji
Wakaru ki ga suru.
Natural English
I feel like I get it.
Literal Brain Translation
Understand feeling does.
Category
Reaction
40
ちょっと微妙。
Romaji
Chotto bimyou.
Natural English
It's kind of iffy.
Literal Brain Translation
A little subtle/awkward.
Category
Reaction
41
なんかいい感じ。
Romaji
Nanka ii kanji.
Natural English
It feels pretty good.
Literal Brain Translation
Somehow good feeling.
Category
Reaction
42
思ったよりいい。
Romaji
Omotta yori ii.
Natural English
Better than I expected.
Literal Brain Translation
Than thought — good.
Category
Reaction
43
思ったより難しい。
Romaji
Omotta yori muzukashii.
Natural English
Harder than I expected.
Literal Brain Translation
Than thought — difficult.
Category
Reaction
44
意外と簡単。
Romaji
Igai to kantan.
Natural English
Surprisingly easy.
Literal Brain Translation
Unexpectedly easy.
Category
Reaction
45
これは助かる。
Romaji
Kore wa tasukaru.
Natural English
This helps a lot.
Literal Brain Translation
This — is saved/helped.
Category
Reaction
46
お腹すいた。
Romaji
Onaka suita.
Natural English
I'm hungry.
Literal Brain Translation
Stomach became empty.
Category
Daily
47
喉かわいた。
Romaji
Nodo kawaita.
Natural English
I'm thirsty.
Literal Brain Translation
Throat dried.
Category
Daily
48
眠すぎる。
Romaji
Nemusugiru.
Natural English
I'm way too sleepy.
Literal Brain Translation
Sleepy too much.
Category
Daily
49
今日は無理かも。
Romaji
Kyou wa muri kamo.
Natural English
Today might be impossible.
Literal Brain Translation
Today — impossible maybe.
Category
Daily
50
ちょっと休憩しよう。
Romaji
Chotto kyuukei shiyou.
Natural English
Let's take a quick break.
Literal Brain Translation
A little break — let's do.
Category
Daily
51
もう少しだけ。
Romaji
Mou sukoshi dake.
Natural English
Just a little more.
Literal Brain Translation
More little only.
Category
Daily
52
そろそろ行こう。
Romaji
Sorosoro ikou.
Natural English
Let's get going soon.
Literal Brain Translation
Soon-ish go.
Category
Daily
53
間に合うかな?
Romaji
Maniau kana?
Natural English
I wonder if I'll make it in time.
Literal Brain Translation
Be in time, I wonder?
Category
Daily
54
間に合った。
Romaji
Maniatta.
Natural English
I made it in time.
Literal Brain Translation
Was in time.
Category
Daily
55
間に合わなかった。
Romaji
Maniawanakatta.
Natural English
I didn't make it in time.
Literal Brain Translation
Was not in time.
Category
Daily
56
ちょっと聞いてもいい?
Romaji
Chotto kiite mo ii?
Natural English
Can I ask something?
Literal Brain Translation
A little ask — okay?
Category
Conversation
57
今ちょっといい?
Romaji
Ima chotto ii?
Natural English
Do you have a second?
Literal Brain Translation
Now a little okay?
Category
Conversation
58
これ、どう思う?
Romaji
Kore, dou omou?
Natural English
What do you think about this?
Literal Brain Translation
This — how think?
Category
Conversation
59
それ、いいと思う。
Romaji
Sore, ii to omou.
Natural English
I think that's good.
Literal Brain Translation
That — good I think.
Category
Conversation
60
それはちょっと違うかも。
Romaji
Sore wa chotto chigau kamo.
Natural English
That might be a little off.
Literal Brain Translation
That — little different maybe.
Category
Conversation
61
もう一回言ってくれる?
Romaji
Mou ikkai itte kureru?
Natural English
Can you say that again?
Literal Brain Translation
One more time say — give me?
Category
Conversation
62
ゆっくり言ってくれる?
Romaji
Yukkuri itte kureru?
Natural English
Can you say it slowly?
Literal Brain Translation
Slowly say — give me?
Category
Conversation
63
今の、聞き取れなかった。
Romaji
Ima no, kikitorenakatta.
Natural English
I couldn't catch that.
Literal Brain Translation
That just now — couldn't hear-catch.
Category
Conversation
64
なるべく簡単に言って。
Romaji
Narubeku kantan ni itte.
Natural English
Say it as simply as possible.
Literal Brain Translation
As much as possible simply say.
Category
Conversation
65
たとえば?
Romaji
Tatoeba?
Natural English
For example?
Literal Brain Translation
For example?
Category
Conversation
66
ここで降りるの?
Romaji
Koko de oriru no?
Natural English
Do I get off here?
Literal Brain Translation
Here — get off?
Category
Travel
67
ここで合ってるかな?
Romaji
Koko de atteru kana?
Natural English
I wonder if this is the right place.
Literal Brain Translation
Here — correct, I wonder?
Category
Travel
68
こっちでいいのかな?
Romaji
Kocchi de ii no kana?
Natural English
I wonder if this way is okay.
Literal Brain Translation
This way — good, I wonder?
Category
Travel
69
あっちっぽい。
Romaji
Acchi ppoi.
Natural English
It seems like it's that way.
Literal Brain Translation
That way-ish.
Category
Travel
70
迷ったかも。
Romaji
Mayotta kamo.
Natural English
I might be lost.
Literal Brain Translation
Got lost maybe.
Category
Travel
71
駅はどっち?
Romaji
Eki wa docchi?
Natural English
Which way is the station?
Literal Brain Translation
Station — which way?
Category
Travel
72
これ、いくら?
Romaji
Kore, ikura?
Natural English
How much is this?
Literal Brain Translation
This — how much?
Category
Shopping
73
高っ。
Romaji
Takaa.
Natural English
Whoa, expensive.
Literal Brain Translation
Expensive!
Category
Shopping
74
安っ。
Romaji
Yasuu.
Natural English
Whoa, cheap.
Literal Brain Translation
Cheap!
Category
Shopping
75
これにしよう。
Romaji
Kore ni shiyou.
Natural English
I'll go with this.
Literal Brain Translation
Into this — let's do.
Category
Shopping
76
やっぱりやめとこう。
Romaji
Yappari yametokou.
Natural English
Actually, let's skip it.
Literal Brain Translation
As expected — stop in advance.
Category
Shopping
77
これ、おいしそう。
Romaji
Kore, oishisou.
Natural English
This looks good.
Literal Brain Translation
This — looks delicious.
Category
Food
78
何がおすすめ?
Romaji
Nani ga osusume?
Natural English
What do you recommend?
Literal Brain Translation
What — recommendation?
Category
Food
79
これ食べてみたい。
Romaji
Kore tabete mitai.
Natural English
I want to try eating this.
Literal Brain Translation
This eat and see want.
Category
Food
80
めっちゃうまい。
Romaji
Meccha umai.
Natural English
This is super good.
Literal Brain Translation
Very delicious.
Category
Casual food
81
お腹いっぱい。
Romaji
Onaka ippai.
Natural English
I'm full.
Literal Brain Translation
Stomach full.
Category
Food
82
このエラー、何だろう?
Romaji
Kono eraa, nan darou?
Natural English
I wonder what this error is.
Literal Brain Translation
This error — what, I wonder?
Category
Work/Tech
83
原因はこれかも。
Romaji
Gen'in wa kore kamo.
Natural English
This might be the cause.
Literal Brain Translation
Cause — this maybe.
Category
Work/Tech
84
ログ見てみよう。
Romaji
Rogu mite miyou.
Natural English
Let's check the log.
Literal Brain Translation
Log see-and-try.
Category
Work/Tech
85
一回試してみよう。
Romaji
Ikkai tameshite miyou.
Natural English
Let's try it once.
Literal Brain Translation
Once try-and-see.
Category
Work/Tech
86
これで直るかな?
Romaji
Kore de naoru kana?
Natural English
I wonder if this will fix it.
Literal Brain Translation
With this — gets fixed, I wonder?
Category
Work/Tech
87
まだダメか。
Romaji
Mada dame ka.
Natural English
Still no good, huh.
Literal Brain Translation
Still bad, huh.
Category
Work/Tech
88
やっと動いた。
Romaji
Yatto ugoita.
Natural English
It finally worked.
Literal Brain Translation
Finally moved/worked.
Category
Work/Tech
89
なんでやねん。
Romaji
Nande yanen.
Natural English
Why the heck? / Come on, man.
Literal Brain Translation
Why is-it-like-that?
Category
Osaka/Kansai
90
ほんま?
Romaji
Honma?
Natural English
Really?
Literal Brain Translation
Truth?
Category
Osaka/Kansai
91
めっちゃええやん。
Romaji
Meccha ee yan.
Natural English
That's really good.
Literal Brain Translation
Super good, isn't it.
Category
Osaka/Kansai
92
あかん。
Romaji
Akan.
Natural English
No good. / That's bad.
Literal Brain Translation
Won't do.
Category
Osaka/Kansai
93
いけるやん。
Romaji
Ikeru yan.
Natural English
That works.
Literal Brain Translation
Can go, isn't it.
Category
Osaka/Kansai
94
知らんけど。
Romaji
Shiran kedo.
Natural English
I don't know though.
Literal Brain Translation
Don't know, but.
Category
Osaka/Kansai
95
ちゃうちゃう。
Romaji
Chau chau.
Natural English
No, no, that's not it.
Literal Brain Translation
Different, different.
Category
Osaka/Kansai
96
どないしたん?
Romaji
Donai shitan?
Natural English
What happened?
Literal Brain Translation
How did?
Category
Osaka/Kansai
97
しゃあないな。
Romaji
Shaa nai na.
Natural English
It can't be helped.
Literal Brain Translation
No way/option, huh.
Category
Osaka/Kansai
98
おおきに。
Romaji
Ookini.
Natural English
Thanks.
Literal Brain Translation
Thanks much.
Category
Osaka/Kansai
99
ほな行こか。
Romaji
Hona iko ka.
Natural English
Alright, let's go.
Literal Brain Translation
Well then, go?
Category
Osaka/Kansai
100
ええ感じやん。
Romaji
Ee kanji yan.
Natural English
It's a good vibe.
Literal Brain Translation
Good feeling, isn't it.
Category
Osaka/Kansai