At the Dry Cleaner – Picking Up Clothes
Welcome to Hello English! If you’ve ever dropped off clothes at a dry cleaner in the US, you know you’ll need to pick them up later—and that means a short, polite conversation in English. This lesson gives you a realistic dialogue and essential vocabulary to handle this everyday task with confidence.
Watch this short, realistic conversation between a customer and a dry cleaner staff member. Perfect for listening practice!
Dry Cleaner Conversation
Characters:
• Daniel – the customer
• Lena – the dry cleaner staff
Daniel: Hi! I’m here to pick up my clothes.
Lena: Sure! What’s your last name?
Daniel: Martinez.
Lena: Got it. Two suits and a dress shirt?
Daniel: Yes, that’s right.
Lena: They’re all ready. That’ll be $28.50.
Daniel: Do you take card?
Lena: Yes, we do.
Daniel: Great.
Lena: Here’s your receipt.
Daniel: Thank you!
Lena: You’re welcome! Have a great day.
Daniel: You too!
Lena: Come back soon!
Daniel: Will do!
💡 This dialogue is perfect for audio or video practice! It’s set in a common US errand—picking up dry cleaning—and uses short, polite sentences with practical terms like “pick up,” “last name,” and “receipt.” The pacing is natural but clear enough for beginners to follow and repeat.
Essential Dry Cleaner Vocabulary
Learn these key terms to navigate the dry cleaner with ease:
- Pick up – to collect your cleaned clothes
- Drop off – to leave clothes for cleaning
- Last name – your family name (used to find your order)
- Suit – formal jacket and pants
- Dress shirt – a button-up shirt for work or events
- Receipt – proof of payment
- Take card – accept credit/debit cards
Other Useful Phrases
- “Are my clothes ready?”
- “I dropped these off on Monday.”
- “Do you offer same-day service?”
- “Can you press my shirt?”
Practice Tip
Practice saying “I’m here to pick up my clothes” and “What’s your last name?”—these are the two most common exchanges at US dry cleaners!
Why This Matters
Whether you’re:
• Traveling for work and need your suit cleaned
• Living in the US and managing weekly errands
• Preparing for real-life English interactions
…this conversation helps you complete a common task smoothly and politely.
Now you’re ready to pick up your clothes at the dry cleaner in English—no stress, no confusion! Bookmark this guide, or try our interactive quiz to test your dry cleaner vocabulary.
Stay sharp and happy learning! 👔
