Japanese for a Busy Coin Laundry: Finding an Empty Machine
Learn polite Japanese phrases to find an empty washing machine, read 使用中 signs, and ask waiting customers how long they expect to wait.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
You arrive at a coin laundry on a Saturday evening. Every machine seems taken, and you are not sure which ones are actually free. This lesson gives you the exact Japanese you need to check availability, read status signs, and ask a waiting person how long they might be. You will practice 空いていますか (is it free?), 使用中 (in use), あと何分ですか (how many minutes left?), 待っています (I'm waiting), and 順番 (order/turn). The focus is polite, brief exchanges that work in a real, crowded laundromat.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a specific washing machine is free using 〜は空いていますか.
- read and understand 使用中 signs on machines.
- ask how many minutes are left with あと何分ですか.
- say I am waiting and ask about the queue using 待っています and 順番.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
この洗濯機は空いていますか。
Is this washing machine free?
Kono sentakuki wa aite imasu ka.
Point to the machine or gesture toward it. 空いています literally means 'is empty/available' and is the standard polite way to ask if something is free.
使用中ですね。
It's in use, isn't it?
Shiyōchū desu ne.
Use when you see a 使用中 sign or indicator. 使用中 means 'in use' and is commonly displayed on the machine or panel.
あと何分ですか。
How many minutes are left?
Ato nanpun desu ka.
Ask this after confirming a machine is in use. あと means 'remaining' and 何分 means 'how many minutes'.
待っています。
I'm waiting.
Matte imasu.
Use to tell a staff member or another customer that you are waiting for a machine. It can also mean 'I'm waiting for my laundry' depending on context.
順番はありますか。
Is there an order/queue?
Junban wa arimasu ka.
Ask this when several people are waiting and you want to know if there is a formal queue. 順番 means 'order' or 'turn'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 〜は空いていますか asks if a specific thing is free. Replace 〜 with the object you need. For example: この洗濯機は空いていますか (Is this washing machine free?), 隣の乾燥機は空いていますか (Is the neighboring dryer free?), あの台は空いていますか (Is that table free?). The verb 空く means 'to become empty', and the 〜ています form describes the current state. For time remaining, use あと〜分. For example: あと十分ですか (Is there ten minutes left?), あと何分ですか (How many minutes left?). You can also answer with あと五分です (There are five minutes left).
When to use it
Use 空いていますか when you are standing near a machine and cannot tell if it is available. If you see a 使用中 sign, you do not need to ask if it is free; instead ask あと何分ですか to find out how long the current cycle will take. When several people are waiting, ask 順番はありますか to check whether there is a queue. If someone asks you, you can say 待っています to indicate you are waiting, or あと十分です to give an estimate. Keep your tone polite and brief; a short すみません before your question is natural.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、この洗濯機は空いていますか。
Excuse me, is this washing machine free?Sumimasen, kono sentakuki wa aite imasu ka.いいえ、使用中です。あと十分ぐらいです。
No, it's in use. About ten minutes left.Iie, shiyōchū desu. Ato juppun gurai desu.そうですか。じゃあ、待っています。順番はありますか。
I see. Then I'll wait. Is there an order?Sō desu ka. Jā, matte imasu. Junban wa arimasu ka.はい、あちらの椅子に座って待ってください。
Yes, please sit on that chair over there and wait.Hai, achira no isu ni suwatte matte kudasai.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese coin laundries, people often wait quietly and may not form a visible queue. Asking 順番はありますか is polite and helps avoid confusion. If a machine is marked 使用中, do not open it or remove someone else's laundry. If you need to wait, it is common to stay nearby and keep an eye on the machine. A brief すみません before asking a question is standard. Avoid touching other people's belongings.
One thing to watch for
Using 空いていますか for a person, as in あなたは空いていますか (Are you free?).
Try this instead: 空いていますか is for objects or spaces, not people. To ask if a person is free, say 今、大丈夫ですか (Are you free now?) or 手が空いていますか (Are you available?). For a machine, stick to この洗濯機は空いていますか.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You see a washing machine with a 使用中 sign. What should you ask to find out how much longer it will take?
Show a sample answer
あと何分ですか。
This asks 'How many minutes are left?' It is the natural follow-up when a machine is in use. You could also ask あとどのくらいですか (About how long?), which is slightly more general.
2You want to know if there is a queue for the machines. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
順番はありますか。
This asks 'Is there an order/queue?' It is polite and clear. Another option is 待っている人はいますか (Is anyone waiting?), but 順番はありますか directly addresses the queue.
3A staff member asks if you need help. You want to say you are waiting for a machine. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
待っています。
This means 'I'm waiting.' It is brief and appropriate. If you want to be more specific, you can say 洗濯機を待っています (I'm waiting for a washing machine).
In a busy coin laundry, use 空いていますか to check if a machine is free, read 使用中 to know it's taken, and ask あと何分ですか to find out how long. Say 待っています to show you're waiting, and ask 順番はありますか to check the queue. Keep it polite and brief.
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