A stain before a meeting

Japanese at the dry cleaner's: stains and express service

You and Yoko are colleagues. You spilled coffee down your jacket an hour before a client meeting, and she knows the cleaner's by the office, so she's walked you round at lunchtime. Yoko speaks first, in polite Japanese: です and ます, the way people talk with strangers, neighbors, and coworkers. Here is how it can begin, and the phrases and words worth having ready.

politeWith Yoko, at the dry cleaner

Start talking

How Yoko opens the conversation

Yoko always speaks first. This is the scene's own opening line, with a reply you could give back at the same level:

このシミ、今日中きょうじゅうに落おちますかね。
Kono shimi, kyōjū ni ochimasu ka ne.
I wonder if this stain will come out by the end of today.
You could say
今朝けさコーヒーをこぼしてしまって…
Kesa kōhī o koboshite shimatte…
I spilled coffee on it this morning…

Other ways it can begin

No two conversations go the same way, and the first line changes too. Each of these can open the scene:

ここ、夕方ゆうがたにはできるそうですよ。
Koko, yūgata ni wa dekiru sō desu yo.
They say it'll be ready here by this evening.
You could say
本当ほんとうですか。助たすかります。
Hontō desu ka. Tasukarimasu.
Really? That's a big help.
シャツは大丈夫だいじょうぶでしたか。
Shatsu wa daijōbu deshita ka.
Was your shirt okay?
You could say
はい、ジャケットだけです。
Hai, jaketto dake desu.
Yes, it's just the jacket.
店員てんいんさんに聞きいてみましょうか。
Ten'in-san ni kiite mimashō ka.
Shall we try asking the shop staff?
You could say
はい、お願ねがいします。
Hai, onegai shimasu.
Yes, please do.
実じつは私わたしも、よくこぼすんです。
Jitsu wa watashi mo, yoku kobosu n desu.
Actually, I spill things all the time too.
You could say
そうなんですか。安心あんしんしました。
Sō nan desu ka. Anshin shimashita.
Is that so? That makes me feel better.
会議かいぎは二時にじからでしたよね。
Kaigi wa niji kara deshita yo ne.
The meeting starts at two, right?
You could say
はい、二時にじからです。
Hai, niji kara desu.
Yes, it starts at two.

Phrases worth knowing here

Lines for what you do at the dry cleaner, each with when you'd say it.

コーヒーをこぼしてしまって。Kōhī o koboshite shimatte.I spilled coffee on it.Say this at the counter when handing over the jacket, to explain the stain.
このシミ、落おちますか。Kono shimi, ochimasu ka.Will this stain come out?Ask while pointing at the spot, before they take the item.
特急とっきゅうでお願ねがいできますか。Tokkyū de onegai dekimasu ka.Could you do express service?When you need it back fast and are willing to pay extra.
三時さんじまでに間まに合あいますか。Sanji made ni ma ni aimasu ka.Will it be ready in time for three o'clock?Use when you have a deadline like a client meeting; swap in any time.
何時なんじに取とりに来くればいいですか。Nanji ni tori ni kureba ii desu ka.What time should I come pick it up?Ask as you finish up, before taking your claim ticket.

Words you'll hear

Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
染しみ	shimi	stain, spot
染しみ抜ぬき	shiminuki	stain removal
上着うわぎ	uwagi	jacket
急いそぎ	isogi	rush, in a hurry
特急とっきゅう	tokkyū	express (same-day) service
仕し上あがり	shiagari	finished work, ready time
預あずかり証しょう	azukarishō	claim ticket
こぼす	kobosu	to spill
落おちる	ochiru	to come out (of a stain)
打うち合あわせ	uchiawase	meeting (with a client)

How polite to be

polite Here Yoko speaks polite Japanese: です and ます, the way people talk with strangers, neighbors, and coworkers, and the replies suggested to you match the level you'd use back. The guide to keigo explains the three levels, and when each is right.

Try it out loud

In Unsubtitled, Yoko says these lines in their own voice, and answers whatever you say back, typed or dictated, with furigana, romaji, and a translation until you no longer need them.

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More scenes with Yoko

Or see every scene, with all four characters.