💬 Phrases 1Downloaded learning report · Pixel

Think in Japanese

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

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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.
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Think in Japanese: 100 Phrases, Part 1

Short internal-monologue phrases for building Japanese thought patterns. Reformatted to match Parts 2 and 3: Japanese, romaji, natural English, literal brain translation, and category.

How to use: Don’t memorize every phrase perfectly. Pick 5–10 per day and actually think them during normal moments: waking up, working, driving, eating, waiting, and getting tired.

How to practice

Read the Japanese first, say the romaji out loud, then check the literal brain translation. The goal is to feel the Japanese structure directly.

Daily thinking

These are simple inner-monologue phrases meant for real life: morning, work, tired moments, travel, emotions, decisions, and nighttime.

Literal mode

The “literal brain translation” is intentionally awkward in English so the Japanese word order and logic are easier to remember.

Responsive Phrase Cards0 / 0 Memorized 0%
1
眠い…
Romaji
Nemui...
Natural English
I'm sleepy...
Literal Brain Translation
Sleepy...
Category
Morning / Starting the Day
2
まだ起きたくない。
Romaji
Mada okitakunai.
Natural English
I don't want to get up yet.
Literal Brain Translation
Still get-up-want-not.
Category
Morning / Starting the Day
3
今日は忙しそう。
Romaji
Kyou wa isogashisou.
Natural English
Today looks busy.
Literal Brain Translation
Today, busy-seems.
Category
Morning / Starting the Day
4
コーヒーが必要。
Romaji
Koohii ga hitsuyou.
Natural English
I need coffee.
Literal Brain Translation
Coffee is necessary.
Category
Morning / Starting the Day
5
よし、始めよう。
Romaji
Yoshi, hajimeyou.
Natural English
Alright, let's start.
Literal Brain Translation
Good, start-let's.
Category
Morning / Starting the Day
6
今日はゆっくり行こう。
Romaji
Kyou wa yukkuri ikou.
Natural English
Let's take it slow today.
Literal Brain Translation
Today, slowly go-let's.
Category
Morning / Starting the Day
7
時間がない。
Romaji
Jikan ga nai.
Natural English
I don't have time.
Literal Brain Translation
Time does not exist.
Category
Morning / Starting the Day
8
準備できた。
Romaji
Junbi dekita.
Natural English
I'm ready.
Literal Brain Translation
Preparation was possible/done.
Category
Morning / Starting the Day
9
忘れ物ないかな。
Romaji
Wasuremono nai kana.
Natural English
I wonder if I forgot anything.
Literal Brain Translation
Forgotten thing, none I wonder.
Category
Morning / Starting the Day
10
今日も頑張ろう。
Romaji
Kyou mo ganbarou.
Natural English
Let's do our best today too.
Literal Brain Translation
Today also, endure/do-best-let's.
Category
Morning / Starting the Day
11
まず何をする?
Romaji
Mazu nani o suru?
Natural English
What should I do first?
Literal Brain Translation
First, what do?
Category
Work / Focus Mode
12
これを先に終わらせよう。
Romaji
Kore o saki ni owaraseyou.
Natural English
Let me finish this first.
Literal Brain Translation
This, first, finish-make-let's.
Category
Work / Focus Mode
13
ちょっと集中しよう。
Romaji
Chotto shuuchuu shiyou.
Natural English
Let me focus for a bit.
Literal Brain Translation
A little concentration do-let's.
Category
Work / Focus Mode
14
これは大事。
Romaji
Kore wa daiji.
Natural English
This is important.
Literal Brain Translation
This, important.
Category
Work / Focus Mode
15
あとで確認しよう。
Romaji
Ato de kakunin shiyou.
Natural English
I'll check later.
Literal Brain Translation
Later, confirmation do-let's.
Category
Work / Focus Mode
16
ちょっと待って。
Romaji
Chotto matte.
Natural English
Wait a second.
Literal Brain Translation
A little wait.
Category
Work / Focus Mode
17
意味が分からない。
Romaji
Imi ga wakaranai.
Natural English
I don't understand what it means.
Literal Brain Translation
Meaning is not understood.
Category
Work / Focus Mode
18
これは後回しでいい。
Romaji
Kore wa atomawashi de ii.
Natural English
This can wait.
Literal Brain Translation
This, later-turn is good.
Category
Work / Focus Mode
19
一つずつやろう。
Romaji
Hitotsu zutsu yarou.
Natural English
Let's do it one by one.
Literal Brain Translation
One each do-let's.
Category
Work / Focus Mode
20
やっと終わった。
Romaji
Yatto owatta.
Natural English
Finally done.
Literal Brain Translation
At last, ended.
Category
Work / Focus Mode
21
すごく疲れた。
Romaji
Sugoku tsukareta.
Natural English
I'm really tired.
Literal Brain Translation
Amazingly tired.
Category
Tired / Overwhelmed
22
もう無理。
Romaji
Mou muri.
Natural English
I can't anymore.
Literal Brain Translation
Already impossible.
Category
Tired / Overwhelmed
23
休みたい。
Romaji
Yasumitai.
Natural English
I want to rest.
Literal Brain Translation
Rest-want.
Category
Tired / Overwhelmed
24
頭がいっぱい。
Romaji
Atama ga ippai.
Natural English
My head is full.
Literal Brain Translation
Head is full.
Category
Tired / Overwhelmed
25
ちょっと休憩しよう。
Romaji
Chotto kyuukei shiyou.
Natural English
Let's take a short break.
Literal Brain Translation
A little break do-let's.
Category
Tired / Overwhelmed
26
今日は長い日だ。
Romaji
Kyou wa nagai hi da.
Natural English
Today is a long day.
Literal Brain Translation
Today, long day is.
Category
Tired / Overwhelmed
27
体が重い。
Romaji
Karada ga omoi.
Natural English
My body feels heavy.
Literal Brain Translation
Body is heavy.
Category
Tired / Overwhelmed
28
眠くなってきた。
Romaji
Nemuku natte kita.
Natural English
I'm starting to get sleepy.
Literal Brain Translation
Sleepy becoming came.
Category
Tired / Overwhelmed
29
もう少しだけ。
Romaji
Mou sukoshi dake.
Natural English
Just a little more.
Literal Brain Translation
Already/now little only.
Category
Tired / Overwhelmed
30
今日は早く寝よう。
Romaji
Kyou wa hayaku neyou.
Natural English
I'll sleep early today.
Literal Brain Translation
Today, early sleep-let's.
Category
Tired / Overwhelmed
31
なんでだろう。
Romaji
Nande darou.
Natural English
I wonder why.
Literal Brain Translation
Why, I wonder.
Category
Confused / Thinking Through Problems
32
どうすればいい?
Romaji
Dou sureba ii?
Natural English
What should I do?
Literal Brain Translation
How if-do good?
Category
Confused / Thinking Through Problems
33
ちょっと変だな。
Romaji
Chotto hen da na.
Natural English
That's kind of strange.
Literal Brain Translation
A little strange, huh.
Category
Confused / Thinking Through Problems
34
何か違う。
Romaji
Nanika chigau.
Natural English
Something is off.
Literal Brain Translation
Something different.
Category
Confused / Thinking Through Problems
35
もう一回考えよう。
Romaji
Mou ikkai kangaeyou.
Natural English
Let's think about it again.
Literal Brain Translation
One more time think-let's.
Category
Confused / Thinking Through Problems
36
たぶんこれだ。
Romaji
Tabun kore da.
Natural English
It's probably this.
Literal Brain Translation
Probably this is.
Category
Confused / Thinking Through Problems
37
違った。
Romaji
Chigatta.
Natural English
That was wrong.
Literal Brain Translation
Was different.
Category
Confused / Thinking Through Problems
38
なるほど。
Romaji
Naruhodo.
Natural English
I see.
Literal Brain Translation
As it becomes / makes sense.
Category
Confused / Thinking Through Problems
39
分かってきた。
Romaji
Wakatte kita.
Natural English
I'm starting to understand.
Literal Brain Translation
Understanding came.
Category
Confused / Thinking Through Problems
40
まだ分からない。
Romaji
Mada wakaranai.
Natural English
I still don't understand.
Literal Brain Translation
Still not understood.
Category
Confused / Thinking Through Problems
41
お腹すいた。
Romaji
Onaka suita.
Natural English
I'm hungry.
Literal Brain Translation
Stomach emptied.
Category
Food / Home / Daily Life
42
何を食べよう?
Romaji
Nani o tabeyou?
Natural English
What should I eat?
Literal Brain Translation
What eat-let's?
Category
Food / Home / Daily Life
43
これ美味しそう。
Romaji
Kore oishisou.
Natural English
This looks tasty.
Literal Brain Translation
This delicious-seems.
Category
Food / Home / Daily Life
44
いただきます。
Romaji
Itadakimasu.
Natural English
Let's eat / I gratefully receive.
Literal Brain Translation
I humbly receive.
Category
Food / Home / Daily Life
45
ごちそうさま。
Romaji
Gochisousama.
Natural English
Thanks for the meal.
Literal Brain Translation
Feast honorable-state.
Category
Food / Home / Daily Life
46
水が飲みたい。
Romaji
Mizu ga nomitai.
Natural English
I want to drink water.
Literal Brain Translation
Water drink-want.
Category
Food / Home / Daily Life
47
部屋を片付けよう。
Romaji
Heya o katazukeyou.
Natural English
Let's clean up the room.
Literal Brain Translation
Room tidy-up-let's.
Category
Food / Home / Daily Life
48
洗濯しなきゃ。
Romaji
Sentaku shinakya.
Natural English
I have to do laundry.
Literal Brain Translation
Laundry must-do.
Category
Food / Home / Daily Life
49
これはあとでやる。
Romaji
Kore wa ato de yaru.
Natural English
I'll do this later.
Literal Brain Translation
This, later do.
Category
Food / Home / Daily Life
50
家に帰りたい。
Romaji
Ie ni kaeritai.
Natural English
I want to go home.
Literal Brain Translation
Home to return-want.
Category
Food / Home / Daily Life
51
ここはどこ?
Romaji
Koko wa doko?
Natural English
Where am I?
Literal Brain Translation
Here is where?
Category
Travel / Outside
52
駅はどっち?
Romaji
Eki wa dotchi?
Natural English
Which way is the station?
Literal Brain Translation
Station is which?
Category
Travel / Outside
53
道に迷った。
Romaji
Michi ni mayotta.
Natural English
I got lost.
Literal Brain Translation
In road got confused.
Category
Travel / Outside
54
この場所、いいね。
Romaji
Kono basho, ii ne.
Natural English
This place is nice.
Literal Brain Translation
This place, good, right?
Category
Travel / Outside
55
写真を撮りたい。
Romaji
Shashin o toritai.
Natural English
I want to take a picture.
Literal Brain Translation
Photo take-want.
Category
Travel / Outside
56
人が多い。
Romaji
Hito ga ooi.
Natural English
There are a lot of people.
Literal Brain Translation
People are many.
Category
Travel / Outside
57
静かでいい。
Romaji
Shizuka de ii.
Natural English
It's nice and quiet.
Literal Brain Translation
Quiet and good.
Category
Travel / Outside
58
次はどこに行く?
Romaji
Tsugi wa doko ni iku?
Natural English
Where do we go next?
Literal Brain Translation
Next, where to go?
Category
Travel / Outside
59
ちょっと歩こう。
Romaji
Chotto arukou.
Natural English
Let's walk a little.
Literal Brain Translation
A little walk-let's.
Category
Travel / Outside
60
ここで休もう。
Romaji
Koko de yasumou.
Natural English
Let's rest here.
Literal Brain Translation
Here at rest-let's.
Category
Travel / Outside
61
嬉しい。
Romaji
Ureshii.
Natural English
I'm happy.
Literal Brain Translation
Happy.
Category
Emotions / Reactions
62
楽しい。
Romaji
Tanoshii.
Natural English
This is fun.
Literal Brain Translation
Fun.
Category
Emotions / Reactions
63
ちょっと不安。
Romaji
Chotto fuan.
Natural English
I'm a little nervous.
Literal Brain Translation
A little uneasy.
Category
Emotions / Reactions
64
イライラする。
Romaji
Iraira suru.
Natural English
I'm annoyed.
Literal Brain Translation
Irritation do.
Category
Emotions / Reactions
65
びっくりした。
Romaji
Bikkuri shita.
Natural English
That surprised me.
Literal Brain Translation
Surprise did.
Category
Emotions / Reactions
66
ちょっと怖い。
Romaji
Chotto kowai.
Natural English
That's a little scary.
Literal Brain Translation
A little scary.
Category
Emotions / Reactions
67
安心した。
Romaji
Anshin shita.
Natural English
I'm relieved.
Literal Brain Translation
Peace-of-mind did.
Category
Emotions / Reactions
68
まあ、いいか。
Romaji
Maa, ii ka.
Natural English
Well, it's fine I guess.
Literal Brain Translation
Well, good maybe.
Category
Emotions / Reactions
69
最高。
Romaji
Saikou.
Natural English
Awesome / the best.
Literal Brain Translation
Highest.
Category
Emotions / Reactions
70
最悪。
Romaji
Saiaku.
Natural English
This sucks / the worst.
Literal Brain Translation
Most bad.
Category
Emotions / Reactions
71
おはよう。
Romaji
Ohayou.
Natural English
Morning.
Literal Brain Translation
Early.
Category
Social / Small Talk
72
お疲れさま。
Romaji
Otsukaresama.
Natural English
Good work / thanks for your effort.
Literal Brain Translation
Honorable tired-state.
Category
Social / Small Talk
73
大丈夫?
Romaji
Daijoubu?
Natural English
Are you okay?
Literal Brain Translation
All right?
Category
Social / Small Talk
74
大丈夫。
Romaji
Daijoubu.
Natural English
I'm okay.
Literal Brain Translation
All right.
Category
Social / Small Talk
75
ありがとう。
Romaji
Arigatou.
Natural English
Thank you.
Literal Brain Translation
Difficult to exist / appreciated.
Category
Social / Small Talk
76
ごめん。
Romaji
Gomen.
Natural English
Sorry.
Literal Brain Translation
Forgiveness.
Category
Social / Small Talk
77
いいよ。
Romaji
Ii yo.
Natural English
It's okay / sure.
Literal Brain Translation
Good, you know.
Category
Social / Small Talk
78
またね。
Romaji
Mata ne.
Natural English
See you later.
Literal Brain Translation
Again, okay?
Category
Social / Small Talk
79
久しぶり。
Romaji
Hisashiburi.
Natural English
Long time no see.
Literal Brain Translation
After a long while.
Category
Social / Small Talk
80
元気?
Romaji
Genki?
Natural English
How are you?
Literal Brain Translation
Energy?
Category
Social / Small Talk
81
やってみよう。
Romaji
Yatte miyou.
Natural English
Let's try it.
Literal Brain Translation
Do and see-let's.
Category
Decision / Motivation
82
無理しないで。
Romaji
Muri shinaide.
Natural English
Don't overdo it.
Literal Brain Translation
Impossible don't do.
Category
Decision / Motivation
83
少しずつでいい。
Romaji
Sukoshi zutsu de ii.
Natural English
Little by little is fine.
Literal Brain Translation
Little each is good.
Category
Decision / Motivation
84
今やろう。
Romaji
Ima yarou.
Natural English
Let's do it now.
Literal Brain Translation
Now do-let's.
Category
Decision / Motivation
85
あとでいい。
Romaji
Ato de ii.
Natural English
Later is fine.
Literal Brain Translation
Later is good.
Category
Decision / Motivation
86
これはやめよう。
Romaji
Kore wa yameyou.
Natural English
Let's stop this.
Literal Brain Translation
This stop-let's.
Category
Decision / Motivation
87
もう決めた。
Romaji
Mou kimeta.
Natural English
I've already decided.
Literal Brain Translation
Already decided.
Category
Decision / Motivation
88
まだ迷ってる。
Romaji
Mada mayotteru.
Natural English
I'm still unsure.
Literal Brain Translation
Still lost/hesitating.
Category
Decision / Motivation
89
できるかも。
Romaji
Dekiru kamo.
Natural English
Maybe I can do it.
Literal Brain Translation
Can maybe.
Category
Decision / Motivation
90
なんとかなる。
Romaji
Nantoka naru.
Natural English
It'll work out somehow.
Literal Brain Translation
Somehow becomes.
Category
Decision / Motivation
91
今日はもう終わり。
Romaji
Kyou wa mou owari.
Natural English
That's enough for today.
Literal Brain Translation
Today, already end.
Category
Night / Ending the Day
92
いい一日だった。
Romaji
Ii ichinichi datta.
Natural English
It was a good day.
Literal Brain Translation
Good one-day was.
Category
Night / Ending the Day
93
疲れたけど楽しかった。
Romaji
Tsukareta kedo tanoshikatta.
Natural English
I was tired, but it was fun.
Literal Brain Translation
Tired but fun-was.
Category
Night / Ending the Day
94
明日またやろう。
Romaji
Ashita mata yarou.
Natural English
Let's do it again tomorrow.
Literal Brain Translation
Tomorrow again do-let's.
Category
Night / Ending the Day
95
早く寝なきゃ。
Romaji
Hayaku nenakya.
Natural English
I need to sleep early.
Literal Brain Translation
Early sleep-must.
Category
Night / Ending the Day
96
もう寝る。
Romaji
Mou neru.
Natural English
I'm going to sleep now.
Literal Brain Translation
Already/now sleep.
Category
Night / Ending the Day
97
電気を消そう。
Romaji
Denki o kesou.
Natural English
Let's turn off the light.
Literal Brain Translation
Electricity/light erase-let's.
Category
Night / Ending the Day
98
明日は忙しい。
Romaji
Ashita wa isogashii.
Natural English
Tomorrow will be busy.
Literal Brain Translation
Tomorrow busy.
Category
Night / Ending the Day
99
ちょっとだけ見よう。
Romaji
Chotto dake miyou.
Natural English
I'll watch just a little.
Literal Brain Translation
A little only see-let's.
Category
Night / Ending the Day
100
おやすみ。
Romaji
Oyasumi.
Natural English
Good night.
Literal Brain Translation
Rest.
Category
Night / Ending the Day