French for the Laundrette: When the Machine Takes Your Coin but Does Not Start
Learn to say 'la machine a pris ma pièce' and 'elle ne démarre pas' in French, and report the problem calmly to staff.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
You put your coin in the washing machine, but nothing happens. In French, you need to explain exactly what went wrong without sounding angry or confused. This lesson teaches three key sentences: 'la machine a pris ma pièce' (the machine took my coin), 'elle ne démarre pas' (it doesn't start), and 'le programme ne s'est pas lancé' (the programme didn't start). You will also learn how to ask staff for help in a calm, factual way. The focus is on clear communication, not on refunds or policies. By the end, you will be able to report the problem and ask what to do next.
By the end, you can…
- say that the machine took my coin.
- explain that the machine does not start.
- ask a staff member for help in a calm way.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
La machine a pris ma pièce.
The machine took my coin.
lah mah-SHEEN ah pree mah PYESS
Use this to state the first problem: the coin went in but nothing happened. 'Pièce' here means a coin, not a room.
Elle ne démarre pas.
It doesn't start.
ell nuh day-MAR pah
Use 'elle' because 'la machine' is feminine. This is a simple negative sentence with 'ne ... pas'.
Le programme ne s'est pas lancé.
The programme didn't start.
luh proh-GRAM nuh seh pah lahn-SAY
Use this to say the cycle never began. It uses the passé composé with 'ne ... pas' around the reflexive verb 'se lancer'.
Pouvez-vous m'aider, s'il vous plaît ?
Can you help me, please?
poo-vay VOO may-DAY, seel voo PLEH
A polite way to ask a staff member for help. Use 'vous' to be respectful.
Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?
What should I do?
kess kuh zhuh dwah FEHR
Ask this after explaining the problem. It invites the staff member to tell you the next step.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To report a problem in the past, use the passé composé: 'avoir' or 'être' + past participle. For 'la machine a pris ma pièce', the verb 'prendre' uses 'avoir': 'a pris'. For 'le programme ne s'est pas lancé', the reflexive verb 'se lancer' uses 'être': 's'est lancé'. The negative 'ne ... pas' goes around the verb or auxiliary. Examples: 'La machine a pris ma pièce.' 'Le programme ne s'est pas lancé.' 'Elle ne démarre pas.'
When to use it
Use 'La machine a pris ma pièce' right after the coin disappears but nothing happens. Then add 'Elle ne démarre pas' or 'Le programme ne s'est pas lancé' to be precise. If you are not sure whether the machine started, say 'Je ne sais pas si le programme a démarré.' When you speak to staff, start with 'Bonjour' and then 'Pouvez-vous m'aider, s'il vous plaît ?' Keep your tone calm and factual. For example: 'Bonjour, la machine a pris ma pièce, mais elle ne démarre pas. Pouvez-vous m'aider ?'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, excusez-moi. La machine a pris ma pièce, mais elle ne démarre pas.
Hello, excuse me. The machine took my coin, but it doesn't start.bon-ZHOOR, ex-koo-ZAY mwah. lah mah-SHEEN ah pree mah PYESS, may ell nuh day-MAR pahD'accord. Quel numéro de machine ?
Okay. Which machine number?dah-KOR. kel noo-may-ROH duh mah-SHEENLa machine numéro 5. Le programme ne s'est pas lancé.
Machine number 5. The programme didn't start.lah mah-SHEEN noo-may-ROH sank. luh proh-GRAM nuh seh pah lahn-SAYJe vais vérifier. Attendez un instant, s'il vous plaît.
I'll check. Wait a moment, please.zhuh vay vay-ree-FYAY. ah-tahn-DAY un an-STAHN, seel voo PLEHA little context goes a long way
In France, it is normal to greet staff with 'Bonjour' before asking for help. Keep your tone calm and factual; raising your voice is not well received. In some regions, people may use 'la machine à laver' for the washing machine, but 'la machine' is clear in a laundrette. If you are in Quebec, you might hear 'la laveuse' for the washing machine, but 'la machine' is still understood. Avoid demanding a refund; instead, ask what you should do.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'La machine a pris mon pièce' or 'La machine a pris ma monnaie'.
Try this instead: 'Pièce' is feminine, so use 'ma pièce'. 'Monnaie' means change in general, not a single coin. Say 'La machine a pris ma pièce.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'The machine took my coin' in French?
Show a sample answer
La machine a pris ma pièce.
This uses the passé composé with 'avoir' and the feminine possessive 'ma' before 'pièce'. You could also say 'La machine a avalé ma pièce' in a more familiar tone, but 'a pris' is neutral and clear.
2How do you say 'It doesn't start' referring to the washing machine?
Show a sample answer
Elle ne démarre pas.
'Elle' replaces 'la machine', which is feminine. The negative 'ne ... pas' surrounds the verb 'démarre'. You could also say 'Elle ne se lance pas', but 'ne démarre pas' is more common for machines.
3How do you politely ask a staff member for help?
Show a sample answer
Pouvez-vous m'aider, s'il vous plaît ?
This uses the polite 'vous' form and 's'il vous plaît'. You could also say 'Pourriez-vous m'aider ?' for extra politeness, but 'Pouvez-vous' is fine in most situations.
Report the problem calmly: 'La machine a pris ma pièce, elle ne démarre pas.' Then ask 'Pouvez-vous m'aider, s'il vous plaît ?' and 'Qu'est-ce que je dois faire ?'
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s French into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr