In this workshop you will practice a short, polite exchange about finding a coin laundry. You will ask if one is nearby, ask about its hours, and check whether it is open now. You will also hear a model dialogue and answer questions about what the other person says. All native examples come from the recordings, and each line is explained in English before you practice it.
Asking if a coin laundry is nearby
Start with a polite question. «この近くにコインランドリーはありますか。» means 'Is there a coin laundry nearby?' The word kono chikaku ni means 'near here' or 'in this area'. Koin randorī is 'coin laundry'. The ending arimasu ka makes it a polite yes-or-no question. Use this when you speak to hotel staff, shop staff, or someone nearby. If you want to be extra polite, you can begin with sumimasen, as in «すみません、この近くにコインランドリーはありますか。». «すみません、この近くにコインランドリーはありますか。» means 'Excuse me, is there a coin laundry near here?' The first word, sumimasen, gets attention politely. The rest is the same question as «この近くにコインランドリーはありますか。». After you ask, listen for a location. A common answer is «はい、駅の前にありますよ。», which means 'Yes, there is one in front of the station.' The word eki no mae ni means 'in front of the station'. This tells you where to go. It does not tell you the hours, so you may need a follow-up question.
Asking about opening hours
Once you know a place exists, ask about its hours. «何時から何時までですか。» means 'From what time to what time is it open?' The pattern nanji kara nanji made desu ka asks about a starting time and an ending time. Nanji means 'what time'. Kara marks the start, and made marks the end. This is a very useful pattern for shops, museums, and other services. A clear answer gives both times. For example, «朝六時から夜十一時までです。» means 'It is from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.' The answer uses asa rokuji kara yoru jūichiji made desu. Asa rokuji is '6 a.m.' and yoru jūichiji is '11 p.m.' Notice that the answer repeats the kara...made pattern. When you hear this, you can note the start and end times. If you only need to know whether it is open right now, use «今、開いていますか。», which means 'Is it open now?' The word ima means 'now', and aite imasu ka asks whether it is open. This is shorter than asking for the full schedule.
Checking whether it is open now
Sometimes you do not need the full schedule. You just need to know whether the coin laundry is open at this moment. Use «今、開いていますか。» to ask 'Is it open now?' The word ima means 'now'. The phrase aite imasu ka asks whether something is open. This is a short, polite question you can use at a hotel front desk or when speaking to someone near the laundromat. If the answer is yes, you can go. If the answer is no, you can ask «何時から何時までですか。» to find out when it will open. In a real situation, you might ask «今、開いていますか。» first, and then ask «何時から何時までですか。» if you need more detail. This keeps the conversation simple and focused on what you need right now.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
この近くにコインランドリーはありますか。
Is there a coin laundry nearby?
Kono chikaku ni koin randorī wa arimasu ka.
何時から何時までですか。
From what time to what time is it open?
Nanji kara nanji made desu ka.
今、開いていますか。
Is it open now?
Ima, aite imasu ka.
洗濯機はいくらですか。
How much is the washing machine?
Sentakuki wa ikura desu ka.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、この近くにコインランドリーはありますか。
Excuse me, is there a coin laundry near here?はい、駅の前にありますよ。
Yes, there is one in front of the station.何時から何時までですか。
From what time to what time is it open?朝六時から夜十一時までです。
It is from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.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 nearby coin laundry
Imagine you are at a hotel front desk. You want to find a coin laundry. The staff member will answer your question.
Your task: First, play the role of the guest. Ask if there is a coin laundry nearby. Use the line from «この近くにコインランドリーはありますか。». Then play the role of the staff member. Answer that there is one in front of the station. Use the line from «はい、駅の前にありますよ。». After that, ask about the hours. Use the line from «何時から何時までですか。». Finally, answer with the hours from «朝六時から夜十一時までです。».
Reply comprehension: choose the correct meaning
You will hear or read a native reply. Then you will choose what it means in English.
Your task: Read the line from «はい、駅の前にありますよ。». Does it mean (a) 'Yes, there is one in front of the station' or (b) 'No, there is no coin laundry nearby'? Next, read the line from «朝六時から夜十一時までです。». Does it mean (a) 'It is from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.' or (b) 'It is open now'? Finally, read the line from «今、開いていますか。». Does it mean (a) 'How much is the washing machine?' or (b) 'Is it open now'?
Recall with correct roles: who says what?
In a short dialogue, one person asks and the other answers. You will decide who says each line and then say it aloud.
Your task: Look at the lines from «すみません、この近くにコインランドリーはありますか。» and «はい、駅の前にありますよ。». Which line is the question, and which is the answer? Say the question line aloud as the guest, then say the answer line aloud as the staff member. Next, look at «何時から何時までですか。» and «朝六時から夜十一時までです。». Which line asks about hours, and which gives the hours? Say the question line aloud as the guest, then say the answer line aloud as the staff member.
Common questions
Can I use these questions at a hotel or a shop?
Yes. The question from «この近くにコインランドリーはありますか。» is polite and works with hotel staff, shop staff, or a passerby. You can also begin with sumimasen as in «すみません、この近くにコインランドリーはありますか。» to get attention politely. The hours question from «何時から何時までですか。» is also polite and suitable for staff.
What if I only want to know if the laundromat is open right now?
Use the question from «今、開いていますか。», which means 'Is it open now?' This is shorter than asking for the full schedule. If you also need the hours, use «何時から何時までですか。» instead. You can ask «今、開いていますか。» first and then ask «何時から何時までですか。» if you need more detail.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask about laundry serviceChecked September 2026
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