At the laundromat
Wash, dry, and ask what you need.
At a self-service laundromat, 세탁 means washing and 건조 means drying. Ask about detergent, coins, and time before starting a machine. By the end, you will be able to recognize and practise 5 useful expressions for this situation.
5 expressions to use in context
Read the Korean first. Romanization is an approximate reading aid, so return to the Hangul spelling and use the Listen button in the interactive lesson when you want to hear your device’s Korean voice.
| Korean | Romanization | English meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 세탁기를 사용하고 싶어요 | setakgireul sayonghago sipeoyo | I would like to use the washing machine |
| 세제는 어디에 넣어요? | sejeneun eodie neoeoyo? | Where do I put the detergent? |
| 동전이 필요해요? | dongjeoni piryohaeyo? | Do I need coins? |
| 건조기는 몇 분 걸려요? | geonjogineun myeot bun geollyeoyo? | How many minutes does the dryer take? |
| 빨래가 다 됐어요 | ppallaega da dwaesseoyo | The laundry is finished |
How to make this lesson stick
- Picture the situation. At a self-service laundromat, 세탁 means washing and 건조 means drying. Ask about detergent, coins, and time before starting a machine.
- Say one line at a time. Read the Hangul, check the meaning, then repeat without looking at the English.
- Change the order. Recall the Korean from a randomly chosen English meaning instead of memorizing the table sequence.
- Use the interactive lesson. Listen, save useful expressions, and answer the short review questions.
Check your recall
Try to say each Korean expression before opening the answer. A correct answer means more when you can also picture when you would use it.
I would like to use the washing machine
세탁기를 사용하고 싶어요
setakgireul sayonghago sipeoyo
Where do I put the detergent?
세제는 어디에 넣어요?
sejeneun eodie neoeoyo?
Do I need coins?
동전이 필요해요?
dongjeoni piryohaeyo?
How many minutes does the dryer take?
건조기는 몇 분 걸려요?
geonjogineun myeot bun geollyeoyo?
The laundry is finished
빨래가 다 됐어요
ppallaega da dwaesseoyo
Language note
English meanings describe the use in this lesson rather than every possible translation. Politeness and nuance can change with the relationship and situation. For dictionary pronunciation, definitions and more examples, consult the National Institute of Korean Language Korean–English Learners’ Dictionary.
Use the phrase before you forget it.
Open the interactive version to listen and test yourself. No account is required.
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