Different ways to say “bathroom” in Mandarin.

In Mandarin, there are several ways to say “bathroom,” depending on the context and region. Here are the most common ones:

1. 洗手间 (xǐshǒujiān) – Restroom/Washroom

• Common in public places like restaurants, malls, and offices.
• Example sentence:
  • 请问，洗手间在哪里？(Qǐngwèn, xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?) – Excuse me, where is the restroom?

2. 厕所 (cèsuǒ) – Toilet

• More casual and direct; commonly used in everyday speech.
• Example sentence:
  • 我去一下厕所。(Wǒ qù yíxià cèsuǒ.) – I’m going to the toilet for a moment.

3. 浴室 (yùshì) – Bathroom/Shower Room

• Refers specifically to a room with a shower or bathtub in a home, hotel, or gym. It doesn’t necessarily include a toilet.
• Example sentence:
  • 这个公寓有两个浴室。(Zhège gōngyù yǒu liǎng gè yùshì.) – This apartment has two bathrooms (shower rooms).
  • 我可以用你的浴室洗个澡吗？(Wǒ kěyǐ yòng nǐ de yùshì xǐ gè zǎo ma?) – Can I use your bathroom to take a shower?

4. 盥洗室 (guànxǐshì) – Washroom (Formal, Used in Schools/Offices)

• Less common in casual speech but used in formal settings.
• Example sentence:
  • 盥洗室在走廊的尽头。(Guànxǐshì zài zǒuláng de jìntóu.) – The washroom is at the end of the hallway.

5. 茅房 (máofáng) – Outhouse (Old-fashioned, Rural Term)

• Traditional term for an outdoor or simple toilet.
• Example sentence:
  • 乡下的茅房很简陋。(Xiāngxià de máofáng hěn jiǎnlòu.) – The outhouse in the countryside is very simple.

6. 化妆室 (huàzhuāngshì) – Powder Room (Used in Taiwan & Some Public Places)

• More common in Taiwan, especially for women’s restrooms.
• Example sentence:
  • 请问化妆室在哪里？(Qǐngwèn huàzhuāngshì zài nǎlǐ?) – Excuse me, where is the powder room?

7. 卫生间 (wèishēngjiān) – Bathroom (Hygienic Room)

• Slightly more formal, often used in homes, hotels, and offices.
• Example sentence:
  • 这个房间有独立卫生间吗？(Zhège fángjiān yǒu dúlì wèishēngjiān ma?) – Does this room have a private bathroom?

---

Quick Recap & Best Uses

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	Best Used In
洗手间	xǐshǒujiān	Restroom/Washroom	Public places (restaurants, malls)
厕所	cèsuǒ	Toilet	Everyday conversation
卫生间	wèishēngjiān	Bathroom (hygienic room)	Homes, hotels, offices
盥洗室	guànxǐshì	Washroom	Formal settings (schools, offices)
茅房	máofáng	Outhouse	Rural areas, old-fashioned
化妆室	huàzhuāngshì	Powder room	Taiwan, upscale places
浴室	yùshì	Bathroom (with shower)	Homes, hotels, gyms

---

Practice Sentences

Try filling in the blanks with the correct term:

1. 我家有一个___和一个厕所。 (My house has one ___ and one toilet.)
2. 请问，最近的___在哪里？ (Excuse me, where is the nearest ___?)
3. 这个宾馆的___很干净。 (This hotel’s ___ is very clean.)
4. 乡下以前用___，但现在有了自来水。 (In the countryside, people used to use ___, but now they have running water.)