In this workshop, you will practice asking about a laundromat in French. You will learn how to ask if one is nearby, where the nearest one is, and what time it opens and closes. You will also hear a short exchange between two people and practice both roles. Each native example is provided as a recording reference. Listen carefully, repeat aloud, and use the self-checks to guide your speaking.
Asking if a Laundromat Is Nearby
Start with a polite question to find out if there is a laundromat close to you. The phrase «Est-ce qu'il y a une laverie près d'ici ?» means 'Is there a laundromat nearby?' Use it when you are in an unfamiliar area and need to wash clothes. If you want to ask specifically for the nearest one, use «Où est la laverie la plus proche ?», which means 'Where is the nearest laundromat?' Notice that 'la plus proche' means 'the nearest' and agrees with the feminine noun 'laverie'. Practice saying both questions aloud. Keep your tone polite and your pronunciation clear. These questions work in many everyday situations, such as when you are traveling or new in a neighborhood.
Asking About Opening and Closing Hours
Once you know there is a laundromat, you may need to know when it is open. To ask what time it opens, say «À quelle heure ouvre la laverie ?», which means 'What time does the laundromat open?' To ask what time it closes, say «À quelle heure ferme la laverie ?», which means 'What time does the laundromat close?' The verb forms 'ouvre' and 'ferme' are used with 'la laverie'. Practice these questions slowly, then a bit faster. You can use them at a hotel reception, with a local person, or when calling a laundromat. Knowing these questions helps you plan your visit and avoid arriving when it is closed.
Listening to a Short Exchange
Now listen to a short conversation. One person asks for help, and the other gives information. The first speaker says «Excusez-moi, est-ce qu'il y a une laverie près d'ici ?», which means 'Excuse me, is there a laundromat nearby?' The second speaker answers «Oui, il y a une laverie au coin de la rue.», which means 'Yes, there is a laundromat at the corner of the street.' The first speaker then asks «Merci. À quelle heure ferme-t-elle ?», which means 'Thank you. What time does it close?' The second speaker replies «Elle ferme à 20 heures.», which means 'It closes at 8 PM.' Notice how the question about closing time uses 'ferme-t-elle' because the speaker refers back to 'la laverie'. Practice both roles. You can play the person asking and the person answering.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Est-ce qu'il y a une laverie près d'ici ?
Is there a laundromat nearby?
ess-kuh eel ee-ya oon lah-vree preh dee-see
Où est la laverie la plus proche ?
Where is the nearest laundromat?
oo eh lah lah-vree lah ploo prosh
À quelle heure ouvre la laverie ?
What time does the laundromat open?
ah kel ur oovr lah lah-vree
À quelle heure ferme la laverie ?
What time does the laundromat close?
ah kel ur ferm lah lah-vree
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Excusez-moi, est-ce qu'il y a une laverie près d'ici ?
Excuse me, is there a laundromat nearby?Oui, il y a une laverie au coin de la rue.
Yes, there is a laundromat at the corner of the street.Merci. À quelle heure ferme-t-elle ?
Thank you. What time does it close?Elle ferme à 20 heures.
It closes at 8 PM.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Ask and Answer About a Laundromat
Imagine you are in a French town and need to find a laundromat. You will play both roles: first the person asking, then the person answering. Use the recordings to guide your speaking.
Your task: Say the question «Est-ce qu'il y a une laverie près d'ici ?» aloud. Then imagine someone answers with «Oui, il y a une laverie au coin de la rue.». Repeat «Oui, il y a une laverie au coin de la rue.» aloud. Next, ask the follow-up question «Merci. À quelle heure ferme-t-elle ?». Finally, answer with «Elle ferme à 20 heures.». Do this twice, once focusing on clear pronunciation and once focusing on smooth rhythm.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Correct Response
You will hear a question or statement, and you must choose the most appropriate reply from the recordings. This practices understanding and responding in context.
Your task: Read the situation: Someone asks you «Excusez-moi, est-ce qu'il y a une laverie près d'ici ?». Which reply fits? Choose between «Oui, il y a une laverie au coin de la rue.» and «Elle ferme à 20 heures.». Say your chosen reply aloud. Next, someone asks «Merci. À quelle heure ferme-t-elle ?». Which reply fits? Choose between «Oui, il y a une laverie au coin de la rue.» and «Elle ferme à 20 heures.». Say it aloud. Finally, someone asks «À quelle heure ouvre la laverie ?». Which question would you ask to find out the closing time? Choose between «À quelle heure ferme la laverie ?» and «Où est la laverie la plus proche ?». Say it aloud.
Recall and Role-Play: Ask and Answer from Memory
Now practice without looking at the text. You will play both roles in a short conversation about a laundromat. Use the recordings as your model.
Your task: First, play the person asking. Say «Excusez-moi, est-ce qu'il y a une laverie près d'ici ?» aloud. Then, play the person answering. Say «Oui, il y a une laverie au coin de la rue.» aloud. Next, play the person asking again. Say «Merci. À quelle heure ferme-t-elle ?» aloud. Finally, play the person answering. Say «Elle ferme à 20 heures.» aloud. Try to do this without reading. If you forget a line, listen to the recording and try again.
Common questions
What is the difference between «Est-ce qu'il y a une laverie près d'ici ?» and «Où est la laverie la plus proche ?»?
«Est-ce qu'il y a une laverie près d'ici ?» means 'Is there a laundromat nearby?' It is a yes-or-no question. «Où est la laverie la plus proche ?» means 'Where is the nearest laundromat?' It asks for a specific location. Use «Est-ce qu'il y a une laverie près d'ici ?» when you just want to know if one exists close by. Use «Où est la laverie la plus proche ?» when you already know there is one and need directions to the closest one.
How do I ask about opening and closing times?
To ask what time it opens, say «À quelle heure ouvre la laverie ?», which means 'What time does the laundromat open?' To ask what time it closes, say «À quelle heure ferme la laverie ?», which means 'What time does the laundromat close?' You can use these questions after you have found a laundromat. They help you plan your visit so you do not arrive when it is closed.
Sources and further reading
- french: ask about laundry serviceChecked September 2026
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