Korean at the dry cleaner: point out a stain and arrange collection
Point to the stained sleeve, ask whether the stain can be removed, and check when and how to collect your clothes.
At a Korean dry cleaner, handing over a garment is only the first step. Show the exact stain before discussing the result, then confirm the collection date and what to bring back. These six lines help you make those requests—and recognize an answer that is not a guarantee.
Six useful lines
Customer · Say this
이 옷 세탁해 주세요.
I ot setakhae juseyo.
Please clean this garment.
Hold up or indicate the garment. 세탁 asks for cleaning; this sentence does not specify a cleaning method.
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Customer · Say this
여기 소매에 얼룩이 있어요.
Yeogi somae-e eollugi isseoyo.
There is a stain here on the sleeve.
Point to the sleeve as you say 여기, “here.” 소매 is the sleeve, not the collar.
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Customer · Say this
이 얼룩을 지울 수 있을까요?
I eollugeul jiul su isseulkkayo?
Would it be possible to remove this stain?
Ask about the possibility before assuming the stain will disappear.
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Staff member · Understand this reply
해 봐야 알지만, 얼룩이 조금 남을 수도 있어요.
Hae bwaya aljiman, eollugi jogeum nameul sudo isseoyo.
We won’t know until we try, but some of the stain may remain.
This is the staff member’s reply to understand, not a promise that cleaning will work completely.
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Customer · Say this
언제 찾으러 오면 돼요?
Eonje chajeureo omyeon dwaeyo?
When should I come to collect it?
찾으러 오다 means to come and collect something you left with the shop.
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Customer · Say this
이 접수증을 가지고 오면 되나요?
I jeopsujeungeul gajigo omyeon doenayo?
Is bringing this claim ticket enough?
Show the ticket you have been given. This question checks the collection requirement rather than asserting it.
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How to use the conversation
The useful sequence is item → stain → possible result → collection. 주세요 makes the opening a polite request. In the next line, pointing while saying 여기 makes the location clear without needing a longer description of the garment.
지울 수 있을까요? asks whether removal is possible. In the reply, 남을 수도 있어요 means that something may remain. Do not turn that possibility into either a guarantee of success or a definite refusal. Confirm the actual outcome and collection arrangements with the shop.
The Latin-letter reading is a guide, not English spelling. Read eo as one Korean vowel (어), not “ee-oh,” and eu as one vowel (으). The doubled ll in eollug marks the Korean ㄹ sequence: hold the tongue contact a little longer rather than using an English r. Keep 주세요 together as ju-se-yo, with no heavy English-style stress. This spelling-based guide does not show every connected-speech sound change.
Try it yourself
Without looking at the translations, point to a sleeve and ask about the stain. Have a partner read the staff reply. Explain in your own words what is still uncertain, then ask when to collect the garment and show the claim ticket.
Check your understanding 1: You want to ask when to collect your clothes. Which line fits?
- 여기 소매에 얼룩이 있어요.
- 언제 찾으러 오면 돼요?
- 이 접수증을 가지고 오면 되나요?
Show the answer
언제 찾으러 오면 돼요?
언제 asks “when.” The other lines identify the stain and check the claim ticket.
Check your understanding 2: The staff say 얼룩이 조금 남을 수도 있어요. What should you understand?
- The stain is guaranteed to disappear.
- The garment is already ready.
- Some of the stain may remain.
Show the answer
Some of the stain may remain.
수도 있어요 expresses a possibility. This reply does not guarantee complete removal.
Check your understanding 3: You have received a claim ticket. What is the safest next step?
- Ask whether bringing this ticket is enough.
- Assume every shop has the same collection rules.
- Discard it because you have paid.
Show the answer
Ask whether bringing this ticket is enough.
Use the last example while showing the ticket. Requirements must be confirmed with this shop.
Questions you may still have
Does asking about stain removal mean the shop guarantees it?
No. You are asking whether removal is possible. The staff may explain that some of the stain could remain, so listen to their answer before agreeing on the work.
Does 찾으러 오다 mean “come to search”?
In this situation, it means to come and collect the garment you left at the shop. 언제 asks when you should return for it.
Will I definitely need the claim ticket?
The shop decides what is needed. Show the ticket and use the final question to check. Keep it until you have confirmed the collection requirements.