Guide • Fluency

Learn Japanese in chunks, not single words

I memorized word lists and still froze. I could say “card” and “please” but not “by card, please.” Chunks fixed that.

Formulaic language is how real speech works. If you learn chunks, you speak faster and make fewer mistakes.

TL;DR: Memorize full phrases, then swap one word to fit the situation.

What to do today: Pick one chunk and use it in three places.

What chunks are

A chunk is a ready made phrase you can use as a unit. It is a small template that already sounds natural.

In English, think of “Can I get a ___, please?” You do not rebuild that sentence every time. You just swap the blank.

In Japanese, “___をください” works the same way. You keep the shape and swap the noun.

Why chunks work

Chunks reduce the mental load. You do not build a sentence from scratch. You pull a ready made phrase and swap one word. That is closer to how native speakers process language.

Research on formulaic language shows that these multi word units improve fluency and accuracy. Adults benefit because it gives you a fast route to usable speech.

The chunk loop

Pick one chunk. Make it short and polite.
Swap one word. Change the noun or place. Like “coffee” to “water”.
Say it out loud. Three times is enough.
Use it once. Real life or a Scenario drill.
Review tomorrow. Keep the same chunk and swap a new word.

The swap is the whole trick. You are training flexibility, not just one fixed sentence.

Chunks you can reuse everywhere

Excuse me, do you have ___?

sumimasen, ___ wa arimasu ka? すみません、___はありますか？

Use it like “sumimasen, fukuro wa arimasu ka?” (すみません、袋はありますか？)

Where is ___?

___ wa doko desu ka? ___はどこですか？

Use it like “toire wa doko desu ka?” (トイレはどこですか？)

___, please.

___ o kudasai. ___をください。

Use it like “mizu o kudasai.” (水をください。)

By ___, please.

___ de onegaishimasu. ___でお願いします。

Use it like “kurejitto kaado de onegaishimasu.” (クレジットカードでお願いします。)

Me: sumimasen, toire wa doko desu ka? (すみません、トイレはどこですか？)

Staff: asoko desu. (あそこです。)

The takeaway

Learn fewer things, but learn them as reusable templates. That is how you get speaking speed without grinding grammar all day.

Pick one chunk. Like “___はどこですか”.
Do three swaps. トイレ, 出口, ホテル.
Use one today. Even if it is just asking staff once.
Save it. Add it to Anki or a short Scenario drill.

Related guides to practise with

Sources

If you want chunk based practice in real life

TabiTalk lets you rehearse short chunks in the exact places you will use them. You can try it on iOS or Android.