Using a coin laundromat, or 코인 세탁소 (ko-in se-tak-so), is a common necessity whether you’re traveling or living in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary to help you navigate the process smoothly, from understanding the machines to asking for assistance. Learn how to operate washers and dryers, purchase detergent, and handle common situations you might encounter.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 코인 세탁소
Pronunciation: ko-in se-tak-so
Meaning: Coin laundromat (literally “coin washing place”)
Basic Phrases
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Expression: 여기 코인 세탁소 맞아요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi ko-in se-tak-so ma-ja-yo?
Meaning: Is this the coin laundromat? -
Expression: 세탁기 어디 있어요?
Pronunciation: se-tak-gi eo-di i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where are the washing machines? -
Expression: 건조기 어디 있어요?
Pronunciation: geon-jo-gi eo-di i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where are the dryers? -
Expression: 이 세탁기 사용해도 돼요?
Pronunciation: i se-tak-gi sa-yong-hae-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can I use this washing machine? -
Expression: 이 건조기 비어 있어요?
Pronunciation: i geon-jo-gi bi-eo i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is this dryer empty/available? -
Expression: 세제 어디서 사요?
Pronunciation: se-je eo-di-seo sa-yo?
Meaning: Where can I buy detergent? -
Expression: 섬유유연제도 팔아요?
Pronunciation: seom-yu-yu-yeon-je-do pa-ra-yo?
Meaning: Do you also sell fabric softener? -
Expression: 동전 교환기 어디 있어요?
Pronunciation: dong-jeon gyo-hwan-gi eo-di i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the coin exchange machine? -
Expression: 세탁 바구니 있어요?
Pronunciation: se-tak ba-gu-ni i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Are there laundry baskets? -
Expression: 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it? -
Expression: 세탁 시간은 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: se-tak si-ga-neun eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does the wash cycle take? -
Expression: 건조 시간은 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: geon-jo si-ga-neun eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does the drying cycle take?
Operating the Machines
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Expression: 세탁기 어떻게 사용해요?
Pronunciation: se-tak-gi eo-tteo-ke sa-yong-hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I use the washing machine? -
Expression: 건조기 어떻게 사용해요?
Pronunciation: geon-jo-gi eo-tteo-ke sa-yong-hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I use the dryer? -
Expression: 동전을 넣어주세요.
Pronunciation: dong-jeo-neul neo-eo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please insert coins. -
Expression: 세탁 코스를 선택하세요.
Pronunciation: se-tak ko-seu-reul seon-taek-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please select the wash cycle. -
Expression: 온도를 선택하세요.
Pronunciation: on-do-reul seon-taek-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please select the temperature. -
Expression: 시작 버튼을 누르세요.
Pronunciation: si-jak beo-teu-neul nu-reu-se-yo.
Meaning: Please press the start button. -
Expression: 세제를 여기에 넣으세요.
Pronunciation: se-je-reul yeo-gi-e neo-eu-se-yo.
Meaning: Put the detergent in here. -
Expression: 섬유유연제는 여기에 넣으세요.
Pronunciation: seom-yu-yu-yeon-je-neun yeo-gi-e neo-eu-se-yo.
Meaning: Put the fabric softener in here. -
Expression: 세탁물을 넣으세요.
Pronunciation: se-tang-mu-reul neo-eu-se-yo.
Meaning: Put the laundry in. -
Expression: 문 닫아주세요.
Pronunciation: mun da-da-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please close the door. -
Expression: 건조 온도 설정해주세요.
Pronunciation: geon-jo on-do seol-jeong-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please set the drying temperature. -
Expression: 세탁 끝났어요.
Pronunciation: se-tak kkeun-na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The washing is finished.
Asking for Help
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Expression: 도와주세요.
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please help me. -
Expression: 기계가 작동하지 않아요.
Pronunciation: gi-gye-ga jak-dong-ha-ji a-na-yo.
Meaning: The machine isn’t working. -
Expression: 동전이 안 들어가요.
Pronunciation: dong-jeo-ni an deu-reo-ga-yo.
Meaning: The coin won’t go in. -
Expression: 세탁기가 멈췄어요.
Pronunciation: se-tak-gi-ga meom-chwo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The washing machine stopped. -
Expression: 문이 안 열려요.
Pronunciation: mu-ni an yeol-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: The door won’t open. -
Expression: 동전을 먹었어요.
Pronunciation: dong-jeo-neul meo-geo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The machine took my coin (but didn’t work). -
Expression: 직원분 계세요?
Pronunciation: ji-gwon-bun gye-se-yo?
Meaning: Is there an employee here? -
Expression: 이거 어떻게 고쳐요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eo-tteo-ke go-chyeo-yo?
Meaning: How do I fix this? -
Expression: 환불 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: hwan-bul ba-deul su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a refund? -
Expression: 세제가 다 떨어졌어요.
Pronunciation: se-je-ga da tteo-reo-jyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The detergent is sold out. -
Expression: 동전 교환기가 고장났어요.
Pronunciation: dong-jeon gyo-hwan-gi-ga go-jang-na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The coin exchange machine is broken.
Korean Culture Notes
Payment Methods: While called “coin laundromats,” many modern facilities in Korea accept various payment methods, including dedicated laundry cards (충전식 카드 – chung-jeon-sik ka-deu), credit cards, or mobile payment apps. However, having coins (especially 500 won coins) is still useful, particularly in older establishments.
Etiquette: Be mindful of others’ time. Remove your laundry promptly once the cycle finishes. Don’t leave your belongings unattended for too long. It’s considered polite to wipe down the inside of the washer drum after use if it’s wet.
Detergent and Softener: Many laundromats have vending machines for single-use detergent packets and fabric softener sheets. Some newer machines might automatically dispense detergent, so check the instructions carefully.
Operating Hours: Most coin laundromats in Korea are open 24/7, making them very convenient. However, some smaller neighborhood ones might have specific operating hours, so it’s good to check if possible.
Sorting: While sorting laundry by color isn’t as strictly emphasized in public laundromats as it might be at home, it’s still a good practice. Also, be sure to check pockets for items like tissues or coins before washing!
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A foreigner (A) is trying to use a washing machine at a coin laundromat and asks another user (B) for help.
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Expression: A: 저기요, 죄송한데 좀 도와주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, joe-song-han-de jom do-wa-ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, I’m sorry, but could you help me for a moment? -
Expression: B: 네, 그럼요. 뭐가 문제예요?
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reom-yo. mwo-ga mun-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: Yes, of course. What’s the problem? -
Expression: A: 이 세탁기 어떻게 사용하는지 잘 모르겠어요. 동전을 넣었는데 시작이 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: i se-tak-gi eo-tteo-ke sa-yong-ha-neun-ji jal mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo. dong-jeo-neul neo-eon-neun-de si-ja-gi an dwae-yo.
Meaning: I’m not sure how to use this washing machine. I put the coins in, but it won’t start. -
Expression: B: 아, 동전 넣고 코스를 먼저 선택해야 돼요. 여기 이 버튼으로요.
Pronunciation: a, dong-jeon neo-ko ko-seu-reul meon-jeo seon-taek-hae-ya dwae-yo. yeo-gi i beo-teu-neu-ro-yo.
Meaning: Ah, after inserting coins, you need to select the cycle first. With this button here. -
Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요! 표준 코스로 할게요. 그 다음엔 시작 버튼 누르면 되나요?
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-kun-yo! pyo-jun ko-seu-ro hal-ge-yo. geu da-eu-men si-jak beo-teun nu-reu-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Ah, I see! I’ll choose the standard cycle. Then do I just press the start button? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞아요. 그리고 세제는 넣으셨어요? 저기 위에 넣는 곳이 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, ma-ja-yo. geu-ri-go se-je-neun neo-eu-syeo-sseo-yo? jeo-gi wi-e neon-neun go-si i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s right. And did you put in the detergent? There’s a place to put it in up there. -
Expression: A: 아직요. 세제는 어디서 사요?
Pronunciation: a-jing-yo. se-je-neun eo-di-seo sa-yo?
Meaning: Not yet. Where do I buy detergent? -
Expression: B: 저쪽에 자판기 있어요. 거기서 사실 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: jeo-jjo-ge ja-pan-gi i-sseo-yo. geo-gi-seo sa-sil su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a vending machine over there. You can buy it there. -
Expression: A: 정말 감사합니다! 덕분에 잘 할 수 있겠어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da! deok-bu-ne jal hal su it-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Thank you so much! Thanks to you, I think I can manage it now. -
Expression: B: 별말씀을요. 필요하면 또 물어보세요.
Pronunciation: byeol-mal-sseu-meul-lyo. pi-ryo-ha-myeon tto mu-reo-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Don’t mention it. Ask again if you need anything.
Practice Tips
Using a coin laundromat is a practical situation to practice your Korean! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ Before you go, review the phrases for operating the machines and asking for help. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re unsure; most people are willing to help! Listen to how Koreans interact at the laundromat and try using the phrases you’ve learned. 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!
