#278 Asking Where the Coin Lockers Are at a Train Station｜French Travel Phrases

When you are traveling with a lot of luggage, coin lockers at train stations can be extremely convenient. You may want to store your suitcase before sightseeing or temporarily leave your bags before or after checking in to your hotel.

However, depending on the station, coin lockers can sometimes be difficult to find. If there are no nearby signs, you may need to ask a station employee or information staff for directions.

In this article, I will explain useful French expressions for asking where coin lockers are located at a train station.

Dialogue

A

Excusez-moi, je cherche les consignes automatiques.
（Excuse me, I am looking for the coin lockers.）

B

Il y a des consignes automatiques au sous-sol, près de la sortie nord.
（There are coin lockers in the basement, near the north exit.）

A

Est-ce qu’il y a de grandes consignes automatiques pour une valise ?
（Are there any large coin lockers for a suitcase?）

B

Oui. Suivez les panneaux « Consignes ».
（Yes. Please follow the signs marked “Consignes.”）

A

Parfait, merci beaucoup pour votre aide.
（Perfect, thank you very much for your help.）

B

Je vous en prie.
（You’re welcome.）

1. Asking Where the Coin Lockers Are

When you are looking for coin lockers at a train station, I recommend using the following expression.

The verb “chercher” means “to look for” or “to search for.” Since it is a transitive verb, it is followed directly by an object without a preposition.

For this reason, the structure “je cherche + noun” means “I am looking for ～.”

The phrase “les consignes automatiques” refers to “coin lockers.” The noun “consigne” originally means “left-luggage service” or “storage facility,” and adding “automatique” creates the meaning of an “automatic luggage locker” or “coin locker.”

At train stations and airports, you may also hear “les consignes à bagages,” which refers more generally to luggage storage facilities.

2. Confirming the Exact Location

After asking where the lockers are, it is important to understand the details of the location. Since train stations often have multiple floors and exits, learning location-related expressions can be especially helpful.

The structure “il y a + noun” means “there is” or “there are.” In this example, adding “des consignes automatiques” creates the meaning “there are coin lockers.”

The phrase “au sous-sol” means “in the basement.” Here, “au” is the contracted form of “à + le,” combining the location preposition “à” with the masculine noun “le sous-sol.”

The phrase “près de la sortie nord” means “near the north exit,” providing a more specific location.

3. Asking About Locker Size

If you are carrying a large suitcase, I recommend checking not only the location of the lockers but also whether there are lockers large enough for your luggage.

The expression “il y a” means “there is” or “there are.” In questions, adding “Est-ce que” creates the structure “Est-ce qu’il y a ～ ?”, meaning “Is there ～?” or “Are there ～?”

Next, “grandes” is an adjective modifying “consignes automatiques.” Since “consigne” is a feminine noun, the adjective “grand” changes to the feminine plural form “grandes.”

Finally, “pour une valise” means “for a suitcase.” The preposition “pour” means “for” and indicates the intended purpose of the locker.

Summary