Extending Dryer Time at a Japanese Coin Laundry: A Practical Japanese Lesson
Learn to ask for more dryer time in Japanese at a coin laundry. Master 延長, 追加料金, もう10分, ボタンを押す, and the pattern 〜を延ばせますか to add time in small increments and ask about extra cost without quoting prices.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
Your clothes are still damp, the dryer has stopped, and you need more time. This lesson teaches you exactly how to handle that moment in Japanese. You will learn to ask for an extension in small increments, find and press the 延長 button, and ask whether extra money is required. The focus is on neutral, polite Japanese that works in a real coin laundry. You will practice the pattern 〜を延ばせますか and the phrase もう〜分 to add time naturally. By the end, you will be able to extend the dryer, check for additional fees, and ask staff for help without relying on guesswork or assuming specific prices.
By the end, you can…
- ask to extend the dryer time in small increments using もう〜分 and 〜を延ばせますか.
- locate and understand the 延長 button on a Japanese coin laundry machine.
- ask whether an extension costs extra money using 追加でお金がかかりますか.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
延長できますか。
Can I extend it?
Enchō dekimasu ka.
A general, polite way to ask if an extension is possible. Use it when you first realize the dryer has stopped and the clothes are not dry.
もう10分延ばせますか。
Can I extend it by another 10 minutes?
Mō juppun nobasemasu ka.
Use this to request a specific small increment. Replace 10分 with 5分 or 15分 as needed. The verb 延ばす means to lengthen or extend.
延長ボタンを押します。
I press the extension button.
Enchō botan o oshimasu.
Describes the action of pressing the 延長 button. On many machines, you press this button before inserting coins or adding time.
追加でお金がかかりますか。
Does it cost extra money?
Tsuika de okane ga kakarimasu ka.
A neutral way to ask about additional charges without quoting prices. Use it when you are unsure whether extending the dryer requires more payment.
もう5分だけお願いします。
Just another 5 minutes, please.
Mō gofun dake onegaishimasu.
A polite request for a small amount of extra time. The particle だけ means only, which softens the request and keeps the increment small.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 〜を延ばせますか means Can I extend ~? It uses the potential form of the verb 延ばす (to extend). For example, 時間を延ばせますか (Jikan o nobasemasu ka) means Can I extend the time? To specify an amount, add もう〜分 before the verb: もう10分延ばせますか (Mō juppun nobasemasu ka) means Can I extend it by another 10 minutes? This pattern is neutral and polite, suitable for staff or for reading machine instructions. You can also use 延長 (enchō) as a noun, as in 延長できますか (Can I extend?), which is slightly more formal but still common.
When to use it
Use these phrases when the dryer stops and your clothes are still damp. First, check the machine for a button labeled 延長 (enchō). If you find it, you can press it and then add coins if required. If you are unsure, ask staff: 延長できますか (Can I extend?). To ask about cost, say 追加でお金がかかりますか (Does it cost extra?). When you want a specific small amount, use もう〜分: もう5分延ばせますか (Can I extend by 5 minutes?). Avoid asking for very long extensions at once; small increments are more natural and easier to manage. If the machine does not have an extension button, ask staff how to proceed.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、乾燥機が止まったんですが、まだ乾いていません。延長できますか。
Excuse me, the dryer has stopped, but the clothes are not dry yet. Can I extend it?Sumimasen, kansōki ga tomattan desu ga, mada kawaite imasen. Enchō dekimasu ka.はい、延長ボタンを押して、もう10分延ばせますよ。
Yes, you can press the extension button and extend it by another 10 minutes.Hai, enchō botan o oshite, mō juppun nobasemasu yo. Tsuika de okane ga kakarimasu ka.追加でお金がかかりますか。
Does it cost extra money?Tsuika de okane ga kakarimasu ka.はい、追加でお金がかかります。
Yes, it costs extra money.Hai, tsuika de okane ga kakarimasu. Mō gofun dake onegaishimasu.A little context goes a long way
In Japan, coin laundry machines often have a clear 延長 button, but policies vary by location. Staff are generally helpful, but they may not be present at all hours. It is polite to ask before pressing buttons or adding coins if you are unsure. Avoid assuming that extensions are free; always ask about additional charges. The phrase 追加でお金がかかりますか is neutral and appropriate for staff or for reading signs. When speaking to staff, use polite forms like 〜ますか and お願いします.
One thing to watch for
Using 延長する as a transitive verb with を, as in 時間を延長しますか, when asking if you can extend it yourself.
Try this instead: Use the potential form 延ばせますか for asking if you can extend: もう10分延ばせますか. If you want to state that you will extend, say 延長します (I will extend). For asking permission, 延長できますか is also correct. Avoid mixing particles incorrectly; 時間を延ばせますか is fine, but 時間が延ばせますか is not.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask if you can extend the dryer by another 10 minutes?
Show a sample answer
もう10分延ばせますか。
This uses もう〜分 with the potential form 延ばせますか. You can replace 10分 with other increments like 5分 or 15分.
2What button do you look for on a Japanese coin laundry machine to add time?
Show a sample answer
延長ボタン
The 延長 button is the extension button. Press it to add time, though you may need to add coins depending on the machine.
3How do you ask whether extending the dryer costs extra money?
Show a sample answer
追加でお金がかかりますか。
This phrase asks about additional charges without quoting specific prices. It is neutral and polite.
When the dryer stops too soon, look for the 延長 button, ask 延長できますか, request small increments with もう〜分延ばせますか, and check costs with 追加でお金がかかりますか.
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