How to say "bathroom" in Japanese
When you ask for the "bathroom" in Japan, say トイレ (toire) or the polite お手洗い (o-tearai). A room for bathing is お風呂 (o-furo).
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Ways to say "bathroom" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| トイレといれ · toire | Bathroom; restroom (toilet). |
| お手洗いおてあらい · o-tearai | Restroom. Polite. |
| お風呂おふろ · o-furo | Bathroom with a bathtub; bath. |
| 浴室よくしつ · yokushitsu | Bathroom (room with a bath). Written, used in real estate. |
How to use it
In Japanese homes, the toilet and the bath are usually in separate rooms. Apartment listings may say バス・トイレ別 (basu toire betsu), bath and toilet separate.
お手洗いはどこですか is the polite way to ask where the restroom is.
Example sentences
- すみません、トイレはどこですか。Sumimasen, toire wa doko desu ka.Excuse me, where's the bathroom?
- お手洗いをお借りしてもいいですか。O-tearai o o-kari shite mo ii desu ka.May I use your restroom?
- お風呂に入ってから寝ます。O-furo ni haitte kara nemasu.I take a bath before bed.
- この部屋はバス・トイレ別です。Kono heya wa basu toire betsu desu.This apartment has a separate bath and toilet.
- トイレは二階にあります。Toire wa nikai ni arimasu.The restroom is on the second floor.
- 浴室が広くて気に入りました。Yokushitsu ga hirokute ki ni irimashita.I liked the large bathroom.
Questions
How do you ask where the bathroom is in Japanese?
Say トイレはどこですか (toire wa doko desu ka). For a more polite version, say お手洗いはどちらですか (o-tearai wa dochira desu ka).
Why are the toilet and bath separate in Japanese homes?
Japanese homes traditionally keep the toilet apart from the bathing room, where people wash before soaking in the tub.
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