French for the Laundrette: Asking to Borrow a Basket or Trolley
Learn to ask politely for a laundry basket or trolley in French using 'emprunter', with reusable patterns for requesting and returning items.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In a French self-service laundrette (une laverie automatique), you may need a basket or trolley to move your laundry. This lesson teaches you to ask staff politely using the verb 'emprunter' (to borrow). You will learn the difference between 'un panier' (a basket) and 'un chariot' (a trolley), and how to request and return them. The focus is on brief, polite questions that work in everyday situations. No prior knowledge of laundry vocabulary is assumed, but you should be comfortable with basic present-tense questions.
By the end, you can…
- ask to borrow a laundry basket or trolley using 'emprunter'.
- understand and respond when a staff member asks for the item back or explains where to find it.
- return the item politely and thank the staff.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Est-ce que je peux emprunter un panier ?
Can I borrow a basket?
ess-kuh zhuh puh ahn-pruhn-tay uhn pah-nyay
Standard polite question. Use 'un panier' for a typical plastic laundry basket. 'Emprunter' means to borrow (not to lend).
Est-ce que je peux emprunter un chariot ?
Can I borrow a trolley?
ess-kuh zhuh puh ahn-pruhn-tay uhn shah-ree-oh
Use 'un chariot' for a wheeled cart or trolley. In some laundrettes, a 'chariot' may be larger and used for moving wet laundry.
Où est-ce que je peux trouver un panier, s'il vous plaît ?
Where can I find a basket, please?
oo ess-kuh zhuh puh troo-vay uhn pah-nyay, seel voo pleh
Useful if you don't see baskets and want to ask where they are kept. Adds 's'il vous plaît' for politeness.
Je vous le rapporte tout de suite.
I'll bring it back to you right away.
zhuh voo luh rah-port too duh sweet
Use when returning the item to a staff member. 'Le' refers to the borrowed object (panier or chariot).
Merci, je le remets où ?
Thanks, where do I put it back?
mair-see, zhuh luh ruh-meh oo
Ask where to return the basket or trolley. 'Remettre' means to put back. 'Où' at the end is common in spoken French.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Est-ce que je peux emprunter + [object] ?' This is a polite, standard way to ask permission. 'Emprunter' means 'to borrow' and is followed by the thing you want to borrow. For example: 'Est-ce que je peux emprunter un panier ?' (Can I borrow a basket?) or 'Est-ce que je peux emprunter un chariot ?' (Can I borrow a trolley?). You can also use 'Puis-je emprunter... ?' which is slightly more formal. To ask where to find the item, use 'Où est-ce que je peux trouver un panier ?' Note that 'un panier' is a basket (typically rectangular plastic), while 'un chariot' is a wheeled trolley or cart. Do not confuse 'emprunter' (to borrow) with 'prêter' (to lend).
When to use it
Use these questions when you are at a laverie automatique and need a basket or trolley to carry your laundry. If you see a staff member, approach them and ask politely. If no staff is present, you might ask another customer: 'Excusez-moi, est-ce que je peux emprunter un panier ?' When returning the item, say 'Je vous le rapporte' or 'Je le remets où ?' to ask where to put it. Always add 's'il vous plaît' when making a request, and 'merci' when receiving or returning. In France, it is common to use 'vous' with strangers and staff, so keep the polite form. Avoid using 'tu' unless you know the person well.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, est-ce que je peux emprunter un panier, s'il vous plaît ?
Hello, can I borrow a basket, please?bohn-zhoor, ess-kuh zhuh puh ahn-pruhn-tay uhn pah-nyay, seel voo plehOui, bien sûr. Ils sont là-bas, à côté des machines.
Yes, of course. They are over there, next to the machines.wee, byan sewr. eel son lah-bah, ah ko-tay day mah-sheenMerci. Je vous le rapporte après.
Thanks. I'll bring it back to you afterwards.mair-see. zhuh voo luh rah-port ah-prayPas de souci. Bonne lessive !
No problem. Happy washing!pah duh soo-see. bun luh-seevA little context goes a long way
In France, laveries automatiques are often self-service and may not have staff on site. If you need a basket or trolley, look for a stack near the machines or ask a member of staff if present. Politeness is important: always use 's'il vous plaît' and 'merci'. The verb 'emprunter' implies you will return the item. Avoid assuming the laundrette provides free baskets; some may require a deposit or may not have them. Ask politely rather than taking without permission. In some regions, 'un chariot' may also mean a shopping cart, but in a laundrette context it refers to a laundry trolley.
One thing to watch for
Using 'prêter' instead of 'emprunter' when asking to borrow: 'Est-ce que je peux prêter un panier ?'
Try this instead: 'Prêter' means 'to lend' (to give something to someone temporarily). To ask to borrow, use 'emprunter': 'Est-ce que je peux emprunter un panier ?' If you want to offer to lend something, then use 'prêter': 'Je peux te prêter mon panier.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask a staff member to borrow a trolley?
Show a sample answer
Est-ce que je peux emprunter un chariot ?
This uses the polite question pattern with 'emprunter' and the correct noun 'un chariot'. You could also say 'Puis-je emprunter un chariot ?' which is slightly more formal.
2What is the difference between 'un panier' and 'un chariot' in a laundrette?
Show a sample answer
Un panier is a basket (usually a plastic container for carrying laundry), while un chariot is a wheeled trolley or cart, often larger and used for moving laundry around.
Both are used to transport laundry, but 'un chariot' typically has wheels and may be larger. In some laundrettes, you might find both.
3How would you ask where to return the basket after use?
Show a sample answer
Je le remets où ?
This is a common informal way to ask where to put something back. You could also say 'Où est-ce que je peux le remettre ?' which is more formal. Both are correct.
To ask for a laundry basket or trolley in French, use 'Est-ce que je peux emprunter un panier / un chariot ?' Remember to add 's'il vous plaît' and return the item politely with 'Je vous le rapporte' or 'Je le remets où ?'
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