How to Ask for the Bathroom in 9 Different Languages

When you need to go, you usually don’t want to fumble around with a translator or dictionary.

Knowing the translations for “toilet” or “bathroom” gets your point across, but it’s also handy knowing how to ask the question properly in the target language. Below you’ll find the most common bathroom words and questions in nine languages, all of which are offered on the FluentU program.

Notice that there are commonalities across the vocabulary, both in terms of pronunciation and phrasing, so that should make it easier to learn the word in multiple languages.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Bathroom in Chinese

浴室 (yù shì) — bathroom

厕所 (cè suǒ) — toilet; WC, lavatory

卫生间在哪里？ (Wèishēngjiān zàinǎlǐ?) — Where is the restroom? (Literally “Where is the hygiene room?”)

我可以用洗手间吗？ (Wǒ kěyǐyòng xǐshǒujiān má?) — May I use the toilet?

Bathroom in French

Salle de bains — bathroom

Toilettes — toilet

Note: Toilettes is actually plural, but is frequently used to refer to the porcelain throne. Toilette (singular) is often used to refer to washing, dressing, cleaning, etc.

Excusez-moi, où se trouvent les toilettes ? — Where is the bathroom? (Literally “Excuse me, where are the toilets?”)

Puis-je utiliser les toilettes ? — May I use the bathroom? (Literally, “Can I use the toilets?”)

Bathroom in German

Badezimmer — bathroom

Toilette  — toilet

Wo ist die Toilette? — Where is the bathroom? (Literally “Where is the toilet?”)

Könnte ich das Badezimmer benutzen? — May I use the bathroom?

Bathroom in Italian

Bagno — bathroom; bath, toilet

Gabinetto — toilet; bathroom; cabinet

Dov’è il bagno? — Where is the bathroom?

Posso usare il bagno? — May I use the bathroom?

Bathroom in Japanese

バスルーム (basurūmu) — bathroom

トイレ (toire) — toilet; bathroom

トイレはどこですか？ (Toire wa doko desuka) — Where is the bathroom?

トイレを借りてもいいですか？   (Toire wo karite mo iidesuka?) — May I use the bathroom? 

Bathroom in Korean

욕실 (yogsil) — bathroom

화장실 (hwajangsil) — toilet; restroom

화장실 어디 있어요? (Hwajangsil eodi iss-eoyo?) — Where is the bathroom?

화장실을 사용해도 될까요? (Hwajangsil-eul sayonghaedo doelkkayo?) — May I use the bathroom?

Bathroom in Portuguese

Banheiro — bathroom; toilet

Toalete — toilet

Onde fica o banheiro? — Where is the bathroom?

Posso usar o banheiro? — May I use the bathroom?

Bathroom in Russian

Ванная — bathroom; toilet in a private home

Туалет — toilet, restroom

Где туалет? — Where is the bathroom? (Literally “Where is the toilet?”)

Можно я зайду в туалет? — May I use the bathroom? (Literally “Can drop by the toilet?”)

Bathroom in Spanish

Baño — bathroom; bath, bathtub; toilet

Inodoro — toilet (fixture); odorless (adj.)

¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom?

¿Puedo usar el baño? — May I use the bathroom?

Tips for Learning Bathroom Phrases

1. Practice saying these phrases out loud.

As with any new vocabulary in your target language, you have to say the phrases out loud. You want native speakers to actually understand your query so you can get on with your business.

Do some language shadowing, repeat the phrases over and over again—just make sure you practice the bathroom phrases enough until they roll off your tongue. Plus, this extra practice will boost your confidence when the time comes that you have to ask where the toilet is.

2. Record the phrases on your phone.

These are a couple of reasons why these voice recordings will come in handy.

Firstly, it will allow you to compare your pronunciation to that of a native speaker. This is also ideal for those who don’t have access to or feel intimidated by native feedback since this allows you to adjust your accent and pronunciation without any added pressure. Plus, these voice notes will be readily available whenever you need to practice.

Secondly, these recordings can be played as a last resort, in case the locals have trouble interpreting what you’re trying to say.

3. Find examples of how these phrases are used in real contexts.

If you want to get a feel of how these phrases would be incorporated into a dialogue, it’s highly recommended that you watch and listen to native conversations. That way, nothing gets lost in translation, and you also learn additional vocabulary associated with bathroom phrases, such as directions, saying “please” and “thank you” and much more.

Tutors and language exchange partners can offer guidance on such conversations, but you can also easily find authentic examples online. FluentU is one tool that can give you that insight.

So be prepared. Know before you go.

Don’t let a trip to the bathroom ruin your day or stall your language confidence.

With these helpful phrases, you’ll be ready whenever and wherever you need to go.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

And One More Thing...

If you dig the idea of learning on your own time from the comfort of your smart device with real-life authentic language content, you'll love using FluentU.

With FluentU, you'll learn real languages—as they're spoken by native speakers. FluentU has a wide variety of videos as you can see here:

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FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.

Didn't catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.

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