Convenience Store Part-Time Job Japanese Vocabulary and Customer Service Phrases (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart)

This article is designed for foreigners and international students who want to work part-time at a Japanese convenience store (コンビニ) like 7-Eleven, Lawson, or FamilyMart. Working at a conbini is a great first job in Japan, but understanding everyday Japanese at the register can be challenging.

In this guide, you’ll learn practical vocabulary and natural phrases that are actually used by staff during daily shifts. These expressions will help you respond confidently, communicate politely with customers, and adapt more quickly to your workplace.

Before applying, don’t forget that you’ll need a properly formatted Japanese resume (履歴書 – rirekisho). You can easily create one online here: Create Your Japanese Rirekisho Online .

Convenience Store Vocabulary (By Category)

Each row shows: Meaning, Japanese word, Romaji, and Hiragana reading. On mobile, you can scroll the table left/right.

Tip: If you are new to Japanese, start with the basic store words and payment words. These are the most common and will help you understand most register conversations.

1️⃣ Basic Store Vocabulary (基本用語)

2️⃣ Payment Related Vocabulary (支払い関連)

3️⃣ Food & Daily Items Vocabulary

4️⃣ Cleaning & Maintenance Vocabulary

5️⃣ Delivery & Service Vocabulary

6️⃣ Shift & Work Vocabulary

7️⃣ Common Problems Vocabulary

Convenience Store Useful Work Sentences (Real Phrases)

These are the most common Japanese phrases you will hear and use at convenience stores in Japan (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart, etc.). Each phrase includes Hiragana, Romaji, and English meaning. I also added small notes (when to use / tips) where helpful.

1️⃣ Greeting & Register

2️⃣ Bag Related Phrases

3️⃣ Heating Food

4️⃣ Chopsticks / Spoon / Extras

5️⃣ Payment

6️⃣ Receipt & Point Card

7️⃣ Age Check (Alcohol / Cigarettes)

8️⃣ Delivery & Utility Payments

9️⃣ Problems / Apology

Common Work Actions & Simple Workplace Questions

At convenience stores, managers and senior staff usually give short and simple instructions. Here are common action words, questions you may hear, and simple answers you can use.

Conclusion

Working at a convenience store in Japan may seem simple at first, but communication is the most important part of the job. Whether you are working at 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart, or any other store, knowing the right Japanese vocabulary and customer service phrases will make your work much easier.

At the beginning, Japanese may feel fast or difficult. Don’t worry — this is normal. If you remember the basic phrases like 「袋（ふくろ）はいりますか？」, 「温（あたた）めますか？」, and 「合計（ごうけい）は〇〇円（えん）です。」, you will already be able to handle most register situations confidently.

Practice these words regularly, listen carefully during your shift, and try to repeat the same polite patterns. After a few weeks, you will notice that your Japanese improves naturally through daily conversation.

Finally, if you are planning to apply for a part-time job in Japan, make sure you prepare a proper Japanese resume (履歴書 – rirekisho). A strong and professionally written resume can greatly improve your chances of getting hired. You can easily create your Japanese resume online here: Create Your Japanese Rirekisho Online .

Good luck with your convenience store job — and don’t be afraid to speak Japanese with confidence!