Chinese phrases
How to say where is the bathroom in Chinese
Where is the bathroom in Chinese is 厕所在哪里 (cè suǒ zài nǎ li). In restaurants, hotels and offices, 洗手间在哪里 sounds a little softer.
厕所在哪里
where is the toilet?
厕所 is the plain, everyday word for the toilet. It is not rude, but 洗手间 is gentler at a nice dinner.
Ways to say where is the bathroom
厕所在哪里
Everydaywhere is the toilet?
Plain and clear. Works in a station, a park, a shop or a restaurant.
洗手间在哪里
Formalwhere is the restroom?
A little softer. Good in restaurants, hotels and offices.
卫生间在哪里
Everydaywhere is the bathroom?
卫生间 is also the bathroom in a flat, so it is the natural word in a friend’s home.
这里有厕所吗
Everydayis there a toilet here?
In a café or a small shop, when you are not sure there is one.
我去一下洗手间
FormalI’ll just go to the restroom
To excuse yourself from a table or a meeting.
我要上厕所
With friendsI need the toilet
Direct. Fine with friends and family. 上厕所 is the verb: to go to the toilet.
Signs and words to know
男
men
On the men’s door. Some doors show only the character, with no picture.
女
women
On the women’s door.
公共厕所
public toilet
Usually free, in parks, streets and stations. Not all of them have toilet paper, so carry 纸巾, tissues.
有人
occupied; someone’s in here
What you call out when someone knocks on your cubicle door. Train toilets show 有人, occupied, or 无人, free.
Common mistakes
Asking for the 浴室
浴室 is a room with a shower or a bath. For the toilet, ask for 厕所, 洗手间 or 卫生间.
Saying 我要上厕所 at a formal dinner
It is fine with friends, but blunt with your partner’s parents or a client. Say 我去一下洗手间 and stand up.
Mixing up 男 and 女
Some doors show only the character. 男 has 田, a field, on top. 女 does not.
In a restaurant
不好意思，厕所在哪里？
Leon: Excuse me, where’s the toilet?
往里走，右边就是。
Waiter: Go further in, it’s on the right.
好的，谢谢！
Leon: OK, thanks!
