Which German phrases matter most here?

“Ich möchte diese Sachen reinigen lassen.” (I’d like these cleaned, please); “Können Sie diesen Fleck entfernen?” (Can you get this stain out); “Was kostet es, diesen Mantel zu reinigen?” (How much does it cost to clean this coat). 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 Germany. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

German phrases for dry cleaning and shoe repairs in Germany

At the dry cleaner’s (die Reinigung) say “Ich möchte diese Sachen reinigen lassen” and point out any stain: “Können Sie diesen Fleck entfernen?”. You get a ticket, “Hier ist Ihr Abholschein”, and ask “Wann kann ich es abholen?”. At the cobbler’s, “Können Sie das reparieren?” and “Was würde die Reparatur kosten?” work the same way.

Try it · about two minutes

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

Sound on: the shop assistant speaks German. You choose what to say back, and Frasa tells you why it works.

How does the conversation usually go?

Shop assistant
Wie kann ich Ihnen helfen?
How can I help you?
You
Ich möchte diese Sachen reinigen lassen.
I’d like these cleaned, please.
Shop assistant
Gibt es einen Fleck, auf den ich achten soll?
Is there a stain I should look out for?
You
Können Sie diesen Fleck entfernen?
Can you get this stain out?
Shop assistant
Wie ist Ihr Name, bitte?
Can I have your name, please?
You
Ich buchstabiere Ihnen meinen Namen.
Let me spell my name for you.
Shop assistant
Hier ist Ihr Abholschein.
Here is your ticket.
You
Wann kann ich es abholen?
When can I pick it up?
On the way home you stop at a cobbler’s. The sole of your boot has come loose.
You
Können Sie das reparieren?
Can you fix this?
Shop assistant
Bitte warten Sie hier.
Please wait here.
You
Was würde die Reparatur kosten?
How much would the repair cost?

Which German phrases do you need?

Ich möchte diese Sachen reinigen lassen.
I’d like these cleaned, please.
Können Sie diesen Fleck entfernen?
Can you get this stain out?
Was kostet es, diesen Mantel zu reinigen?
How much does it cost to clean this coat?
Wann kann ich es abholen?
When can I pick it up?
Hier ist Ihr Abholschein.
Here is your ticket.
Können Sie das reparieren?
Can you fix this?
Es ist kaputt.
It’s broken.
Wann ist es fertig?
When will it be ready?
Was würde die Reparatur kosten?
How much would the repair cost?
Lohnt sich eine Reparatur?
Is it worth repairing?

What is worth knowing in Germany?

Leaving something for cleaning

1
Hand it over and say what you want done. Point out any stain.
2
You get a ticket with your name on it. Keep it: you hand it back when you collect.
Here is your ticket.
3
Many places let you pay when you collect, not when you drop off.

Cobbler and keys

Shoe repair shops (Schuhreparatur) often cut keys and engrave as well, and many sit in shopping centres or near stations. Handy if you need a spare key.

Können Sie einen Schlüssel nachmachen?

Can you cut a key?

Ask for a quote first

For anything more than a small repair, it is normal to ask whether it is worth it and what it will cost before they start. A quote is a Kostenvoranschlag.

Könnte ich vorher einen Kostenvoranschlag bekommen?

Could I have a quote first?

Questions about this situation

Which German phrases matter most here?: “Ich möchte diese Sachen reinigen lassen.” (I’d like these cleaned, please); “Können Sie diesen Fleck entfernen?” (Can you get this stain out); “Was kostet es, diesen Mantel zu reinigen?” (How much does it cost to clean this coat). 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 Germany. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

Related situations in German

All situations in German

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.