Laundry

1. Unde este spălătoria?

   UN-de ES-te spuh-luh-to-RI-a

   Where is the laundry?

   Usage

   Asking for the location of a laundromat or laundry service

   Grammar Note

   "spălătorie" + "-a" = "spălătoria". Derived from "a spăla" (to wash) — the place where washing happens.

2. Vreau să spăl hainele

   VREAU suh SPUHL HAI-ne-le

   I want to wash the clothes

   Usage

   Expressing the desire to do laundry

   Grammar Note

   "hainele" is the plural definite of "haină" (garment, -le). "vreau să" + subjunctive = "I want to".

3. Puteți scoate această pată?

   pu-TETS SCO-a-te a-CHEAS-tuh PA-tuh

   Can you remove this stain?

   Usage

   Asking a dry cleaner to remove a specific stain

   Grammar Note

   "a scoate" has many meanings: to remove, extract, publish. From Latin "excutere" (to shake out).

4. Hainele sunt uscate

   HAI-ne-le sunt us-CA-te

   The clothes are dry

   Usage

   Informing that the washed clothes have dried

   Grammar Note

   "uscate" is the plural feminine of "uscat". Agrees with plural "haine" (clothes). From "a usca" (to dry).

5. Vă rog călcați cămașa

   vuh rog kuhl-KATS kuh-MA-sha

   Please iron the shirt

   Usage

   Requesting an ironing service at a cleaner or hotel

   Grammar Note

   "a călca" means both "to step on/walk" and "to iron clothes". Irons "step" on the fabric — hence the connection.

6. Când sunt gata hainele?

   kuhnd sunt GA-ta HAI-ne-le

   When will the clothes be ready?

   Usage

   Asking about the ready time for laundry or dry cleaning

   Grammar Note

   "gata" (ready/done) is invariable — it doesn't change for number or gender.

7. Această haină se spală la 30 de grade

   a-CHEAS-tuh HA-i-nuh se SPAH-luh la trei-ZETS de GRA-de

   This garment washes at 30 degrees

   Usage

   Checking or informing about the washing temperature for a garment

   Grammar Note

   "se spală" is the reflexive passive ("washes itself"). Romanian uses "se" + verb to form passive constructions.

8. Nu puneți în mașina de spălat

   nu pu-NETS uhn ma-SHEE-na de spuh-LAT

   Do not put in the washing machine

   Usage

   Warning not to put a delicate item in the washing machine

   Grammar Note

   "mașina de spălat" = "machine for washing". "de + infinitive" expresses purpose in Romanian.

9. Aveți detergent de rufe?

   a-VETS de-ter-JENT de RU-fe

   Do you have laundry detergent?

   Usage

   Asking if laundry detergent is available

   Grammar Note

   "rufe" (laundry/linens) is the plural. "detergent de rufe" = "detergent for laundry" — a set phrase.

10. Curățătoria chimică este aproape

    koo-ruh-tsuh-to-RI-a KI-mi-kuh ES-te a-PROA-pe

    The dry cleaner is nearby

    Usage

    Giving directions to the dry cleaner

    Grammar Note

    "Curățătorie chimică" literally means "chemical cleaning place". From "a curăța" (to clean) + "-torie" (place suffix).

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