Shadowing Practice: Japan is Living in 2050 - Learn English Speaking with Video
Choose a practice mode
Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.
268 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Hello, guys.
2
Today's video is all about Japan and how they're literally living in the future.
3
Like, there's gonna be things that we're gonna be reacting to today
4
that you probably have never even heard of or didn't even know were possible to create.
5
Like, right now, we're gonna learn about three things that proves Japan is living in 2050.
6
If you carefully look at any soft drink or water bottle, you'll notice a small arrow on top of the label.
7
Interesting.
8
And right under it, there's a thin cut in the label.
9
Why?
10
The reason behind this is actually very useful.
11
After buying the bottle, people peel the label off like this.
12
And there is even a separate dustbin to throw it away.
13
That's because in Japan the plastic bottle
14
and the label stuck on it must be disposed of in different bins now That's interesting.
15
Okay, it's in offices.
16
You'll find digital security guards like what?
17
These characters respond to Pokemon Loki no Wesley when yeah, I will go outside They carry these small capsules in their bags, okay?
18
Just press it and a cloth pops out No way you use to clean your hands for all three things that okay, they're low key living in the future Why is that not in America?
19
I want an anime girl to talk to at the airport.
20
Three things in Japan that don't exist in your country.
21
First, these shoes are going viral in Japan right now.
22
No way.
23
Because of how unique they look.
24
What the?
25
They're lightweight, transparent, and super- Bro, who is wearing those?
26
Those are not stylish.
27
Okay, that makes sense.
28
I like that.
29
In Japan, when you're on a plane, you'll see this switch that says- Was that an anime plane?
30
Or wake me for a meal.
31
This tells the flight attendant whether to let you sleep or wake you up for food.
32
Oh, that's so smart.
33
And finally, at Japanese beaches, you can use an air pressure machine to blow up.
34
Bro, why do they not have that in America?
35
That's sick!
36
We're gonna keep getting crazier.
37
Alright, here are three things in Japan that just makes sense.
38
Interesting?
39
Wait, no way.
40
What, they have a sauce?
41
Ohhhh.
42
That's genius.
43
Yeah, people be falling out of windows in America, Loki.
44
Walking fresh air and last month in Japan you'll find these shoe cleaning vending machines that will improve your trip What?
45
Yo! $10 you can just clean your shoes?
46
I need that bro my shoes get dirty Wow
47
That's insane I wonder what the craziest thing is gonna be
48
here you guys start having your predictions in your heads What if they have like AI robot girlfriends?
49
Let's watch that Three things in Japan that will blow your mind All right Some restaurants offer special finger gloves.
50
Ooh, that's so smart.
51
Bro, I would love that.
52
My hands are being so greasy.
53
Dude, give me those.
54
Okay.
55
That's so smart.
56
That's a little bit sus though.
57
A little bit sus.
58
Okay.
59
I love anime.
60
As you drink and the bottle becomes empty, a hidden story between the characters.
61
Whoa, that's so cool.
62
To enjoy both the drink and the fun.
63
Wait, that's so cool.
64
Each metro has a pink seat and no one can sit on it.
65
Why?
66
Because it's reserved exclusively for pregnant women.
67
Oh, that's nice.
68
In Japan public restrooms, you'll find a common feature designed to create sound covering any noise.
69
Interesting.
70
And ensuring you don't feel embarrassed while doing- Oh, that's so smart, bro.
71
I'm not gonna lie, my mom always turns the sink on when she goes to the bathroom.
72
Like, bruh.
73
You have a delivery person bringing food to your door.
74
Your order can be placed inside a delivery robot, which safely delivers it right to your doorstep.
75
No way.
76
Bro, okay.
77
So when I used to live in Florida, they had robots that would deliver your food, but I would have to go to the bottom of my apartment to get it.
78
These ones actually go up in your apartment.
79
That's insane.
80
Is that in America?
81
I feel like that might be in America. Is that real?
82
Is that a freaking boba jacket?
83
Like what?
84
Okay.
85
What?
86
Bro.
87
Japan has like so many things just for convenience, dude.
88
How is this not in America?
89
There is a law that requires companies to make their cakes exactly the same shape
90
and size as those shown on the packaging.
91
That's genius.
92
Yeah, America's not like that.
93
This is a very disappointed one.
94
Yep, I-I be getting scammed sometimes.
95
The company fails to follow this rule, it risks having to pay a heavy fine.
96
Wow.
97
In Japan, when you buy shoes, there's no need to guess or try on several pairs.
98
Why?
99
Because every store has a machine that measures your feet- Oh, what?
100
Bruh, that's insane!
101
You have to use like a metal thing here in America.
102
...are equipped with futuristic platforms that automatically fill the gap between the train and the platform when the train arrives.
103
This greatly makes it- Yeah, they don't have that in America.
104
Every time I get off a train, I have to like, step all the way over.
105
Yeah, people in wheelchairs, strollers, they begin cooked.
106
On Japanese trains, the seats are designed to fold up- No way!
107
Oh, that's so smart.
108
So you can have extra- yep, extra space to see it. Or sit.
109
What'd I just say?
110
Extra space to see- bro, I'm actually stupid.
111
That's actually stupid.
112
Finally, instead of simple gutters, the Japanese use decorative rain chains through which water flows harmoniously- That's freaking sick.
113
That's sick.
114
If you're not following us, you'll probably- Oh, okay, they're telling us to follow them.
115
Uh, what if you subscribe to me instead?
116
Next video.
117
Three things in Japan that just make sense.
118
Alright, let's see it.
119
Toilets.
120
What the- Japanese toilets are a- What was that?
121
They feature heated seats, self-cleaning systems, and even slots to sanitize your phone.
122
Dude, what?
123
Give me one of those covers decorated with art each one is that's
124
so smart instead of the sewer places isn't always available they
125
haven't designed a convenience stores in Japan sell these soap strips they're neatly packed
126
and give you the right amount for washing your hands in Japan you'll see boxes like this
127
that look normal until you realize it's a calendar care one what
128
and by you transforms into a beautiful sakura place
129
that doubles as room to fill that's like normal Japan? yeah subscribe
130
and like guys alright what else I got what else Japan got?
131
Japan is really living in 2050 Bro, it's a freaking bottle that you just turn on and it makes orange juice.
132
Are you serious right now?
133
Bruh.
134
Yo, that's insane.
135
Brandy windows.
136
Three things in Japan that prove Japan is living in the future.
137
First, in Japan, if you buy any juice packet, the plastic straw that comes inside is very unique.
138
If you look closely at the straw, you'll notice a small line on it.
139
This line is designed so that when you suck the juice through the straw, air can enter the packet through that line.
140
Because of this, the packet doesn't collapse due to pressure and you can drink your juice comfortably.
141
Next, is putting a little in Japan is known for its genius packaging.
142
To take it out, you simply press the hook given on the top of the pack.
143
After that, air pressure from above perfectly pushes the pudding out smoothly.
144
Lastly, in Japan, to make the cold drink experience feel more real, some people actually place cold drinks under a waterfall and sell them there.
145
The cold water from the waterfall keeps your drink chilled.
146
That's actually very cool.
147
They should do that here.
148
Low key, all right, all right.
149
That might be my favorite thing, the waterfall.
150
I don't know, I think that'd be very pretty to buy drinks from.
151
Let's see what they got next though.
152
Three things in Japan that make total sense.
153
Firstly, if you ever lose something on a train in Japan, don't worry, you can literally buy it back.
154
What?
155
No way!
156
Wait, that's sick!
157
Bro, give me that.
158
Bro, why do we not have that at the doctors here? is a game changer.
159
First, and honestly, my personal favorite, self-closing jars.
160
Ooh, what?
161
What?
162
No twisting, no fuss, just fresh food.
163
I need that.
164
I can never close jars.
165
Just scan your items as you shop.
166
Toss them in your cart, and when you're done, boom, you pay right there.
167
No checkout lines.
168
You can scan in the cart?
169
Just pure convenience.
170
And lastly, your hands overpowered.
171
Bro, okay, they talked about that earlier.
172
That's insane!
173
They just cleaned your phone?
174
UV light does the rest.
175
Wow, how does that even work?
176
I need that dough.
177
Give me that.
178
Give me that in my house.
179
My phone, I dropped it in food earlier, and it's low-key messy.
180
You see like the orange in it?
181
Yeah, you see that?
182
What is this?
183
What kind of ice cream is that?
184
What is with these dings?
185
Oh my god, stop dinging.
186
Wheelchair people can climb up escalators.
187
Bro, that's so convenient, so they don't have to wait for the frickin elevator.
188
And then they can't go backwards because- oh, there's like a stopper, okay?
189
And then this is the sink.
190
Oh, to clean your phone again.
191
Okay, we've seen this.
192
We've seen this before.
193
That's so cool, though.
194
I actually need one of those right now.
195
All right, Japan, many toilets have a built-in sink on top where you can wash your hands used for washing.
196
Bro, you can wash your hands on top of the toilet.
197
Okay, fridges are way more advanced than those elsewhere.
198
They have doors that open from both sides.
199
Okay, how is that possible?
200
Actually, how is that even possible?
201
You can buy these single slices of cake packaged just like any other snack.
202
Yo.
203
Bro, give me that.
204
Give me a small cake.
205
The frick?
206
That's genius!
207
Three things that prove Japan is living in 2050.
208
Okay?
209
Train cleaning crews fully clean an entire train.
210
How?
211
Mopping floors, wiping every surface.
212
In exactly seven Whoa Seven minutes?
213
That's insane Oh cool No way No way
214
That's so cool Dude Japan is awesome What?
215
white lace covers you feel like royalty getting into a cab
216
Wow in garages stack cars vertically on mechanical platforms you drive onto a lift walk away
217
and a machine dude that's sick
218
I want that every signal and say it out loud it looks strange
219
but this method reduces human error by 85% that's that's genius train platforms have glass screen doors
220
that only open when the train door is perfectly aligned
221
so nobody can ever fall onto the tracks wow We need an America.
222
What the frick?
223
Dude, that's crazy.
224
Musical car.
225
They got musical cars in Japan.
226
What else they got?
227
What else they got?
228
We got more.
229
First, in Japan, you can find self-heating lunchboxes like these.
230
Give me one.
231
Give me one.
232
You just need to pull this string.
233
As soon as you pull it, the chemicals inside mix together and start heating the food automatically.
234
Next, Japan pays so much attention to packaging
235
That even ice cream or cream containers Are designed in a way that no extra cream sticks to the lid Wow,
236
bro It'd be getting so stuck to the lids here in America Japan use umbrellas a lot Because of this, you'll find special machines everywhere Dude, that's James I don't know why that's not America Like,
237
if you're living in Washington where it rains all the time Okay, what else they got?
238
What else they got?
239
Literally, literally, that's what I'm saying First, if you look at these packets in Japan They're all designed in the same way Okay
240
But the milk cartons have a small cut mark on the top like this Uh, why?
241
Why is that?
242
Oh!
243
Japan is just so generous to the people that live there.
244
Trying to make everything so easy.
245
What the?
246
Ow.
247
It's a thing?
248
$20?
249
Oh, they look good, though.
250
They look really good.
251
$20 is insane, though.
252
Oh, wow.
253
Bruh!
254
I need that right now for my phone!
255
Keychain and carry it Wow okay last video is already living was that real?
256
Wars without staff these stores that's more than 50 cameras
257
that track your every step you can't steal anything
258
and walk to the register Okay There's no one
259
and the most amazing part the register already knows what you took
260
and immediately shows you the bill What I'm true for introverts do that need that trains with no drivers in Japan?
261
There are many trees that real
262
or full of a real no driver at all This makes the ride much safer by reducing the chance of human error.
263
These trains are more punctual and can run more frequently Dude those look insane.
264
Okay.
265
Well that was the last video
266
that train thing was actually my favorite I'm not gonna lie the trains look so cool Anyways, if you guys are doing this video click the video on screen subscribe to join the swag squad.
267
See y'all later.
268
Bye
Download App
Everything you need to speak fluently
AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing
✨ Recommend Video
B114
29 sentences
Back from Japan: Telling a Friend About My Trip
American AccentBritish AccentTravel EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B21
77 sentences
5 Weird Tech Products Coming in 2025.....maybe
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
208 sentences
Why I hate being Japanese
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A21
233 sentences
This Is NORMAL In The USA?? 🇺🇸 (English comprehensible Input)
Travel EnglishDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B24
22 sentences
Kids Vs Adults: Prison Around The World
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B12
49 sentences
Video
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
407 sentences
Why The U.S. Can’t Copy Japanese 7-Eleven | AB Explained
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
102 sentences
Beach Gear That Will Blow Your Mind!
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
396 sentences
Training W/ Real Life Vampire (Anti-aging)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
225 sentences
Q&A ♡ do I want kids? have I met idols in Seoul? how much did I pay for my teeth?...etc
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B13
13 sentences
New Concept English 2 : Unit 96 The Dead Return
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
86 sentences
Video
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “Japan is Living in 2050”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: Japan, bro, train, America. This video has 267 sentences and 2227 words to shadow. The speech runs for 11:58. The speaker talks fast, about 186 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. 84% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start. 60 of its 267 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| shoe noun | /ˈʃu/ | A protective covering for the foot, with a bottom part composed of thick leather or plastic sole and often a thicker heel, and a softer upper part made of… |
| packet noun | /ˈpæk.ɪt/ | A small pack or package; a little bundle or parcel |
| toilet verb | /ˈtɔɪ.lət/ | To assist another (a child, etc.) in using a toilet. |
| waterfall noun | /ˈwɔːtəfɔːl/ | A flow of water over the edge of a cliff. |
| straw noun | /stɹɔ/ | A dried stalk of a cereal plant. |
| subscribe verb | /səbˈskɹaɪb/ | To write (one’s name) at the bottom of a document; to sign (one's name). |
| convenience noun | /kənˈvinjəns/ | The quality of being convenient. |
| sink verb | /ˈsɪŋk/ | To descend or submerge (or to cause to do so) into a liquid or similar substance. |
| robot noun | /ˈɹoʊ.bɑt/ | An intelligent mechanical being designed to look like a human or other creature, and usually made from metal. |
| anime noun | /ˈæn.ɪ.meɪ/ | An animated work that originated in Japan, regardless of the artistic style. |
| lastly adverb | /ˈlæstli/ | Used to mark the beginning of the last in a list of items or propositions. |
| wheelchair noun | /ˈ(h)wilt͡ʃɛɹ/ | A chair mounted on large wheels for the transportation or use of a sick or disabled person. |
| jar noun | /d͡ʒɑː/ | An earthenware container, either with two or no handles, for holding oil, water, wine, etc., or used for burial. |
| cart noun | /kɑɹt/ | A small, open, wheeled vehicle, drawn or pushed by a person or animal, often with two wheels on one axle, more often used for transporting goods than… |
| scan verb | /skæn/ | To examine sequentially, carefully, or critically; to scrutinize; to behold closely. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| blow up verb | To explode or be destroyed by explosion. |
| drink under verb | To drink more alcohol than another person, possibly to the point of that person passing out. |
| fold up verb | To make or become more compact by folding. |
| get off verb | To move from being on top of (something) to not being on top of it. |
| pop out verb | To appear on the screen as a temporary window or menu. |
| walk away verb | To withdraw from a problematic situation. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- You'll find digital security guards like what?
- What'd I just say?
- Are you serious right now?
- You can scan in the cart?
- They just cleaned your phone?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Conditional sentences if + clause, will/would + verb — a condition and its result | If you're not following us, you'll probably |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | must be disposed · can be placed · are equipped |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | have never even heard · haven't designed · we've seen |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | keep getting · start having · stop dinging |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 52 contractions and reduced forms, such as you'll, don't, gonna. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: smoothly /ˈsmuːðli/, cloth /klɒθ/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: shoe /ˈʃu/, stylish /ˈstaɪlɪʃ/, prediction /pɹɪˈdɪkʃən/, garage /ɡəˈɹɑʒ/
- Long words — get the stress right: escalator /ˈɛs.kə.leɪ.tɚ/, futuristic /ˌfjut͡ʃəˈɹɪstɪk/, overpower /oʊ.vɚˈpaʊ̯.ɚ/, vertically /ˈvɝ.tɪ.kəli/, decorative /ˈdɛk.ə.ɹə.tɪv/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like shoe, packet, toilet.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.