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How to say “where is the bathroom” in Chinese
“洗手间在哪儿？” (xǐshǒujiān zài nǎr?) asks where the toilets are. “洗手间” literally means “wash-hands room” and is polite. “厕所” (cèsuǒ) is blunter but also very common, and you will see it on signs.
In Chinese
洗手间在哪儿？
xǐshǒujiān zài nǎr?
Where is the bathroom?
Other ways to say “where is the bathroom”
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厕所在哪儿？
cèsuǒ zài nǎr?
Where is the toilet?
Direct and common; the word on many signs.
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卫生间在哪里？
wèishēngjiān zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the restroom?
Polite and common in hotels and public buildings.
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附近有洗手间吗？
fùjìn yǒu xǐshǒujiān ma?
Is there a restroom nearby?
When you are out on the street.
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在左边 / 右边
zài zuǒbian / yòubian
It's on the left / right
The usual answer.
Example sentences
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请问，洗手间在哪儿？
qǐngwèn, xǐshǒujiān zài nǎr?
Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
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洗手间在二楼，往右走。
xǐshǒujiān zài èr lóu, wǎng yòu zǒu.
The bathroom is on the second floor, go right.
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这里有厕所吗？
zhèlǐ yǒu cèsuǒ ma?
Is there a toilet here?
How to reply
在那边。
zài nàbiān.
Over there.
Good to know
- Public toilets in China may not provide paper: carry tissues. The sign for men is 男 (nán) and for women 女 (nǚ).
- “哪儿” (nǎr) is the northern, spoken form of “哪里” (nǎlǐ); both mean where.
Questions about “where is the bathroom” in Chinese
How do you say “where is the bathroom” in Chinese?
“where is the bathroom” in Chinese is “洗手间在哪儿？” (Where is the bathroom?). It is written in pinyin as xǐshǒujiān zài nǎr?. You can also say “厕所在哪儿？”, “卫生间在哪里？”, “附近有洗手间吗？”.
How do you pronounce “洗手间在哪儿？” in Chinese?
“洗手间在哪儿？” is pronounced xǐshǒujiān zài nǎr?. Tap the speaker on this page to hear it.
What are other ways to say “where is the bathroom” in Chinese?
“厕所在哪儿？” (Where is the toilet?): direct and common; the word on many signs. “卫生间在哪里？” (Where is the restroom?): polite and common in hotels and public buildings. “附近有洗手间吗？” (Is there a restroom nearby?): when you are out on the street. “在左边 / 右边” (It's on the left / right): the usual answer.
How do you reply to “洗手间在哪儿？”?
A natural reply is “在那边。” (Over there.).
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