Czech · Čistírna
You use a self-service laundrette for the first time: what to say in Czech
You use a self-service laundry for the first time.
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How it's done. In a samoobslužná prádelna (self-service laundry) you pay at a machine with tokens or a card: pick a washer, add detergent, start the programme; the dryer is paid separately.Prepared by the Movko team, November 2026. This is language help, not legal or medical advice: check the rules with the office itself.
Cheat sheet for your visit
The first phrase is open: tap ▶ to listen, or “Show” to show it to the other person. The rest of the dialogue is in the course in the app.
1
YOU START
Promiňte, jak funguje tato prádelna? Jsem tu poprvé.
PROH-meen-teh, yahk FOON-goo-eh TAH-toh PRAH-del-nuh? Ysem too POPR-veh.
Excuse me, how does this laundry work? I'm here for the first time.
Or say:Promiňte, jak mám zaplatit za praní?
PROH-meen-teh, yahk mahm ZAH-pluh-teet zah PRAH-nee?
THEY SAY
Vyberete pračku, nasypete prášek a zaplatíte v automatu.VIH-beh-reh-teh PRAHCH-koo, NAH-sih-peh-teh PRAH-shek uh ZAH-pluh-tee-teh v OW-toh-muh-too.
You choose a washer, put in the detergent and pay at the machine.
2
YOU REPLY
Kolik stojí jedno praní?
KOH-leek STOY-ee YEHD-noh PRAH-nee?
How much does one wash cost?
THEY SAY
Praní stojí sto dvacet korun, sušení osmdesát.PRAH-nee STOY-ee stoh DVAH-tset KOH-roon, SOO-sheh-nee OSM-deh-suht.
A wash costs a hundred and twenty crowns, drying eighty.
They might also say:
Pračka je sto dvacet korun, sušička osmdesát.
PRAHCH-kuh yeh stoh DVAH-tset KOH-roon, SOO-sheech-kuh OSM-deh-suht.
The washer is a hundred and twenty crowns, the dryer eighty.
3
YOU REPLY
Mohu platit kartou?
MOH-goo PLAH-teet KAHR-toh-oo?
Can I pay by card?
THEY SAY
Ano, automat přijímá karty i žetony.AH-noh, OW-toh-muht PRSHEEY-ee-muh KAHR-tih ee ZHEH-toh-nih.
Yes, the machine accepts cards and tokens.
4
YOU REPLY
A prášek koupím tady?
Uh PRAH-shek KOH-oo-peem TAH-dih?
And will I buy the detergent here?
THEY SAY
Ano, je v automatu u dveří.AH-noh, yeh v OW-toh-muh-too oo DVEHR-zhee.
Yes, it is in the machine by the door.
5
YOU FINISH
Děkuji za pomoc!
DYEH-kooy-ee zah POH-mots!
Thank you for the help!
THEY SAY
Prosím.PROH-seem.
You're welcome.
The course is in the app
This dialogue is part of the course “Czech for life in Czechia”: 416 situations with audio, a pronunciation guide and spaced review.
On the website the first dialogue, the 112 category, the rescue phrases and the “Basics” are fully open.
Words worth knowing
Promiňte
PROH-meen-teh
verb
excuse me
jak
yahk
adverb
how
funguje
FOON-goo-eh
verb
works
prádelna
PRAH-del-nuh
noun
laundrette
Jsem
Ysem
verb
I am
tu
too
adverb
here
37 more words, with explanations, base forms and tap-a-word help, are in the app.
If you did not understand
Můžete to zopakovat, prosím?
MOO-zheh-teh toh ZOH-puh-koh-vuht, PROH-seem?
Can you repeat that, please?
Můžete mluvit pomaleji, prosím?
MOO-zheh-teh MLOO-veet POH-muh-lay-ee, PROH-seem?
Can you speak more slowly, please?
Co to znamená?
Tsoh toh ZNAH-meh-nuh?
What does this mean?
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