Ask About a Laundromat: Beginner Speaking Practice

Asking if a place is nearby

Start with a polite question. The line «请问，附近有洗衣店吗？» means “Excuse me, is there a laundromat nearby?” Use it when you stop someone to ask for help. A simple version is «附近有洗衣店吗？», which means “Is there a laundromat nearby?” If the person says yes, they may add a short direction. The reply «有，前面就有一家。» means “Yes, there is one just ahead.” “Just ahead” tells you the place is in front of you, not behind you. After you hear that, you can ask a follow-up question about time or directions.

Asking about opening and closing times

To ask about the opening time, use «洗衣店几点开门？», which means “What time does the laundromat open?” To ask about the closing time, use «洗衣店几点关门？», which means “What time does the laundromat close?” In a short conversation, after someone tells you the place is nearby, you can ask «几点关门？», which means “What time does it close?” The answer «晚上八点关门。» means “It closes at 8 PM.” Notice that the question and answer are about the same activity: closing. Keep the subject the same when you practice.

Asking how to get there

After you know the place is nearby, you may want directions. The question «怎么走？» means “How do I get there?” Use it after you have already mentioned the place, so “there” is clear. Listen for whether the answer describes a location on the right or an instruction to turn right. These are different: a location on the right tells you where something is, while a turn right tells you to change direction. In this workshop, practice only the questions and answers from the recordings.

Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.

Checking available voices…

Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.

Common questions