All Books
Privacy Policy Terms of Service
Download App
sports_bar

Learn Japanese at an Izakaya

Izakaya 居酒屋 — The Drunk Dictionary

After-work drinking culture decoded. Order rounds, understand the menu, split the bill, and know when the last train leaves. Warning: may cause improved social life.

181 words · 8 chapters

download Download App

Why This Book?

Izakayas are Japan's social hubs where coworkers bond, friends reunite, and strangers become friends over drinks. Without the right vocabulary, you might get charged for an お通し (table charge appetizer) you didn't order, struggle to split the bill with 割り勘, or worse - miss the 終電 (last train). This book covers everything from your first "とりあえず生で" (draft beer first) to surviving the morning after.

local_bar

Drink Types

生ビール, 日本酒, 焼酎, サワー - every drink style

restaurant

Yakitori & Food

焼き鳥, 刺身, から揚げ - izakaya favorites

groups

Etiquette

お酌, 乾杯, 割り勘 - social drinking customs

train

Last Train

終電, 二次会, 帰る - end-of-night survival

What You'll Learn

1

Izakaya Foundation

23 words

Core izakaya vocabulary - what is an izakaya, seating options, reservations, and essential phrases for your first visit.

居酒屋いざかや Japanese pub
乾杯かんぱい cheers; toast
お通しおとおし table charge appetizer
とりあえず first of all
生ビールなまびーる draft beer
...and 18 more
2

Drinks Menu

25 words

Master all drink types - beer, sake, shochu, highballs, sours, and how to order them (rocks, straight, with water).

日本酒にほんしゅ Japanese sake
焼酎しょうちゅう shochu
ハイボール highball
飲み放題のみほうだい all-you-can-drink
ロック on the rocks
...and 20 more
3

Grilled & Skewers

23 words

Yakitori vocabulary - chicken parts, grilling styles, and how to order by the skewer with salt or sauce.

焼き鳥やきとり grilled chicken skewers
もも chicken thigh
つくね chicken meatball
塩しお salt
タレ sauce
...and 18 more
4

Raw & Fried

23 words

Sashimi, fried chicken, edamame, tofu dishes, and popular izakaya sides that pair perfectly with drinks.

刺身さしみ sashimi
から揚げからあげ fried chicken
枝豆えだまめ edamame
冷奴ひややっこ cold tofu
餃子ぎょうざ dumplings
...and 18 more
5

Drinking Etiquette

22 words

Social drinking customs - pouring for others, pacing yourself, polite refusals, and essential survival phrases.

お酌おしゃく pouring drinks for others
酔うよう to get drunk
もう大丈夫 I'm fine now
ほどほどに in moderation
飲むのむ to drink
...and 17 more
6

Staff & Customer Phrases

22 words

Common interactions - ordering phrases, staff questions, recommendations, and how to call for refills.

いらっしゃいませ welcome!
何名様なんめいさま how many people?
ラストオーダー last order
とりあえず生 draft beer first
おかわりください refill please
...and 17 more
7

Payment & Splitting

21 words

Paying the bill, splitting costs evenly or separately, payment methods, and handling the check.

お会計お願いします check please
割り勘わりかん split evenly
別々でべつべつで separate checks
現金げんきん cash
おごり my treat
...and 16 more
8

Last Train & Survival

22 words

End-of-night vocabulary - catching the last train, after-parties, goodbyes, and the morning after.

終電しゅうでん last train
二次会にじかい second party
二日酔いふつかよい hangover
お疲れ様おつかれさま good work; good night
また飲もう let's drink again
...and 17 more

Pro Tips

お通し (otoshi) is a small appetizer that appears automatically at your table - it's NOT free. This is Japan's cover charge system, usually 300-500 yen per person. You can't refuse it.
とりあえず生で (toriaezu nama de) means "draft beer for now" - this is THE phrase to start your izakaya experience. Say it confidently when the waiter asks for your drink order.
Never pour your own drink in a group setting. Watch your neighbors' glasses and pour for them. Someone will pour for you. When receiving a pour, lift your glass slightly as thanks.
割り勘 (warikan) is splitting the bill evenly regardless of what each person consumed. This is the standard practice in Japan - don't ask for separate checks unless with close friends.
終電 (shuuden - last train) is usually around midnight. Missing it means expensive taxis, capsule hotels, or karaoke until 5am. Check your train time BEFORE the second round.

Why Learn With Our App?

These 181 words are just the beginning. Here's how our app helps you actually remember them.

psychology

Spaced Repetition

FSRS algorithm schedules reviews right before you forget. Learn more in less time.

videogame_asset

Gamified Learning

Build combos, maintain streaks, earn points. Learning feels like playing, not studying.

diamond

No Subscription

This book is completely free. Other books are one-time purchase, keep forever.

cloud_sync

Cloud Sync

Start on your phone, continue on tablet. Your progress follows you everywhere.

download

Works Offline

Download and learn anywhere - on the plane, subway, or in Japan without data.

translate

Real Vocabulary

No textbook words you'll never use. Every word is practical for real situations.

Get the App

Start Learning in the App

check 181 words check Spaced repetition check Works offline
Master Japanese Drinking Culture Now! POPULAR
download Download App