Which French phrases matter most here?

“Je voudrais faire nettoyer ces vêtements.” (I’d like to have these clothes cleaned); “Le nettoyage de ce manteau coûte combien ?” (How much does it cost to clean this coat); “Vous pouvez enlever cette tache ?” (Can you get this stain out). The full list is above.

Can I hear how they sound?

Yes: press the speaker next to a phrase to hear it, recorded for the Frasa app.

How can I practise this conversation?

Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in France. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

French phrases for dry cleaning and shoe repairs in France

At the dry cleaner’s (le pressing) say “Je voudrais faire nettoyer ces vêtements”, give your name and keep the ticket. Ask “Ce sera prêt quand ?”. At the cobbler’s, show the item: “Vous pouvez réparer ça ?”, then ask “La réparation coûterait combien ?”.

Try it · about two minutes

You leave a coat at the dry cleaner’s and shoes at the cobbler’s, and ask when they’ll be ready.

Sound on: the dry cleaner and cobbler speaks French. You choose what to say back, and Frasa tells you why it works.

How does the conversation usually go?

Dry cleaner and cobbler
Je peux vous aider ?
Can I help you?
You
Je voudrais faire nettoyer ces vêtements.
I’d like to have these clothes cleaned.
Dry cleaner and cobbler
C'est à quel nom ?
What name is it under?
You
Je vais vous épeler mon nom.
I’ll spell my name for you.
Dry cleaner and cobbler
Voici votre ticket de dépôt.
Here’s your claim ticket.
You
Ce sera prêt quand ?
When will it be ready?
Dry cleaner and cobbler
Que puis-je faire pour vous ?
What can I do for you?
You
Vous pouvez réparer ça ?
Can you fix this?
Dry cleaner and cobbler
Oui, je peux changer le talon.
Yes, I can replace the heel.
You
La réparation coûterait combien ?
How much would the repair cost?
Dry cleaner and cobbler
Ce sera prêt dans dix minutes.
It’ll be ready in ten minutes.
You
Parfait, je repasse dans dix minutes.
Perfect, I’ll come back in ten minutes.

Which French phrases do you need?

Je voudrais faire nettoyer ces vêtements.
I’d like to have these clothes cleaned.
Le nettoyage de ce manteau coûte combien ?
How much does it cost to clean this coat?
Vous pouvez enlever cette tache ?
Can you get this stain out?
C'est à quel nom ?
What name is it under?
Voici votre ticket de dépôt.
Here’s your claim ticket.
Ce sera prêt quand ?
When will it be ready?
Je peux venir le chercher quand ?
When can I pick it up?
Vous pouvez réparer ça ?
Can you fix this?
La réparation coûterait combien ?
How much would the repair cost?
Vous pouvez faire un double de clé ?
Can you make a copy of a key?

What is worth knowing in France?

Pressing and cordonnerie

A dry cleaner is usually called a pressing. A cobbler is a cordonnier and the shop is a cordonnerie. Many cobblers also cut keys.

Vous pouvez faire un double de clé ?

Can you make a copy of a key?

Drop-off and pick-up

1
Hand over the clothes. Point out any stain and ask if it can come out.
Can you get this stain out?
2
Give your name and keep the ticket you’re handed.
What name is it under?
3
Ask when it will be ready.
When will it be ready?
4
Come back with the ticket. You usually pay when you collect.

Ask the price first

For a small job, ask what it costs before you leave the item. For a bigger repair, ask for a quote before they start.

Je pourrais avoir un devis avant que vous commenciez ?

Could I have a quote before you start?

Questions about this situation

Which French phrases matter most here?: “Je voudrais faire nettoyer ces vêtements.” (I’d like to have these clothes cleaned); “Le nettoyage de ce manteau coûte combien ?” (How much does it cost to clean this coat); “Vous pouvez enlever cette tache ?” (Can you get this stain out). The full list is above.
Can I hear how they sound?: Yes: press the speaker next to a phrase to hear it, recorded for the Frasa app.
How can I practise this conversation?: Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in France. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

Related situations in French

All situations in French

Practise these phrases in Frasa

Frasa is an iPhone app for the conversations in front of you. Save phrases like these, rehearse them out loud, and they come back until they stick.

Try free on the App Store (opens the App Store in a new tab)

AI-generated. May be inaccurate.