noun HSK 2
Traditional 廁所
toilet · restroom · bathroom · lavatory
Meaning
厕所 is the standard, neutral term for toilet or restroom in Chinese. It refers to any facility with toilets, whether public or private, and is appropriate in all contexts. This is the most commonly used word for bathroom facilities in everyday conversation.
Usage
This is the default term Chinese speakers use when asking for or referring to bathroom facilities. In formal settings, 洗手间 (xǐshǒujiān) is sometimes preferred as it sounds more polite. In very casual contexts, 卫生间 (wèishēngjiān) is also common. When asking where the bathroom is, people typically say 厕所在哪里？
Examples
- 01请问厕所在哪里？?Excuse me, where is the restroom?
- 02我要去上厕所。.I need to go to the bathroom.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个厕所
- 间一间厕所
Common collocations
- 上厕所to go to the bathroom
- 公共厕所public restroom
- 男厕所men's room
- 女厕所women's room
Origin
厕 originally meant a side room or lateral space, which evolved to mean toilet. 所 is a suffix indicating a place or location. Together they literally mean 'toilet place.'