- Essential Japanese Dry Cleaning Vocabulary
- Understanding Japanese Laundry Symbols and Labels
- Useful Japanese Phrases at the Dry Cleaner
- Tips for Using Dry Cleaning Services in Japan
If you're living, working, or traveling in Japan, chances are you'll need to use dry cleaning services at some point. But without understanding the terminology, you might end up with the wrong service—or worse, ruined clothes! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential Japanese dry cleaning vocabulary, laundry symbols, and key phrases you need to communicate confidently at Japanese laundromats and dry cleaners.
Essential Japanese Dry Cleaning Vocabulary
Here's a list of key terms commonly used in dry cleaning services across Japan. These will help you read labels, request specific services, and understand your receipts or laundry slips.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 洗濯 | Sentaku | Laundry |
| ドライクリーニング | Dorai kuriiningu | Dry cleaning |
| 仕上がり | Shiagari | Finish, completion |
| 染み抜き | Shiminuki | Stain removal |
| 料金 | Ryōkin | Fee |
| 受け取り | Uketori | Pick-up |
| 預かり票 | Azukarihyō | Claim ticket |
| 再洗い | Saiarai | Rewash |
| 色落ち | Iroochi | Color fading |
| 素材 | Sozai | Material |
| 特急 | Tokkyū | Express service |
| 仕分け | Shiwake | Sorting |
🔗 Learn more about Japanese cleaning culture here
Understanding Japanese Laundry Symbols and Labels
Japanese laundry tags and dry cleaning tickets often contain a mix of symbols and short instructions. Here's how to decode the most common ones:
| Symbol/Text | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ドライ可 | Dry cleaning allowed |
| ドライ不可 | Not suitable for dry cleaning |
| 手洗い | Hand wash |
| 洗濯機使用可 | Machine washable |
| アイロン低温 | Low-temperature ironing |
| 塩素系漂白不可 | No chlorine bleach |
| 日陰干し | Dry in shade |
| 平干し | Dry flat |
| タンブル乾燥不可 | No tumble drying |
| 裏返し洗い | Wash inside out |
| クリーニング中 | Currently being cleaned |
| 注意：色移りの可能性あり | Warning: May cause color transfer |
These symbols are crucial to prevent damage and understand how your items will be handled.
Useful Japanese Phrases at the Dry Cleaner
Communicating with staff at a Japanese dry cleaning shop can be tricky. Use these sample phrases to get exactly what you need:
-
このシャツはドライクリーニングできますか？
Can this shirt be dry cleaned? -
仕上がりはいつですか？
When will it be ready? -
このシミを取ってもらえますか？
Can you remove this stain? -
急ぎでお願いできますか？
Can I request express service? -
このタグを見てもらえますか？
Can you check this label for me? -
カードで支払えますか？
Can I pay by card? -
預かり票を失くしました。どうすればいいですか？
I lost my claim ticket. What should I do?
Practice these phrases and pair them with the vocabulary list above to handle most situations smoothly. You can explore more topic in Japanese like: family, kitchen, direction
Tips for Using Dry Cleaning Services in Japan
Here are a few pro tips to make your experience even smoother:
-
Take a picture of your receipt or claim ticket in case you lose it.
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Double-check the laundry symbols before handing over delicate items.
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Mention any stains clearly when dropping off your clothes.
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Use Google Translate's camera to read Japanese-only signage.
-
Check prices and service levels in advance—some shops offer same-day cleaning at extra cost.
