Words for Bathroom
Wednesday, June 15, 2005 – 9:32 am
There are many different words for 厕所. Each one has a different connotation.
- Bathroom - This is probably the most common, general term. ex: “Does this building have a bathroom?”
- Restroom - Also very common. Some people think a “bathroom” is only in a house, and a “restroom” is in a public place. Actually, both words are used interchangeably, but it is much less common to call a 厕所 in someone’s house a “restroom.” Anyway, you can always say “bathroom” or “restroom” in any situation.
- Washroom - Sounds slightly old-fashioned. My grandfather always said “washroom.”
- WC - British. Don’t use this word in the US. No one will even know what the hell you are talking about.
- Toilet - Usually refers to the thing you actually sit on, not the room or location. It can refer to the “bathroom” in general: for example, “Where’s Joe? He is in the toilet.” This sounds really coarse and uneducated, though.
- The john - slang. ex: “I need to go to the john.” This is a common phrase. Women don’t normally use this phrase, however. If you want to know the origin of this usage, check here.
- The loo - slang. old-fashioned. mainly British. not so common. ex: “I need to go to the loo.” Actually, now that I think about it, men don’t normally say “loo.” Men use “john” and women tend to use “loo.” That isn’t a strict rule.
- The head - slang. military. In the military they use the term “head.” I have no idea why. ex: “Where is the major? He is in the head.” or “I need to go to the head.”
- Lavatory - slightly formal. When I was in grade school, the teachers referred to the bathroom as the “lavatory.” It would sound strange to ask someone in public where the “lavatory” is, though.
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