A whopping 7,164 languages are spoken across the globe, representing the rich diversity of the human experience. Despite this plurality, there’s one thing binding peoples, cultures, and nations: the toilet. No matter what language is spoken, there’s at least one word for the ubiquitous porcelain throne (our favorite from the English loo lexicon). Whether you’re embarking on a world tour or simply satisfying your curiosity, it’s always handy to know how to refer to this culture-spanning device in different languages.

“Toilet” in the Most Commonly Spoken Languages

Translating “toilet” from every single language in the world would be daunting. Instead, we’re going to look at how to say this critical word in the most commonly spoken languages in the world. We’ve provided the Romanized spelling along with helpful pronunciation so you can sound like a local when looking for the nearest loo.

Useful Bathroom-Related Phrases in Different Languages

Blurting out “toilet” in the local language might be enough to get by, but it might attract some involuntary laughs and confusion. Tossing this word into a full sentence will be met with much more appreciation and clearer responses.

English

• Where is the bathroom? – Where is the BATH-room?
• Do you have a restroom? – Do you have a REST-room?
• I need to use the toilet. – I need to use the TOY-let.

Mandarin Chinese

• 厕所在哪里？ (Cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?) – TSUH-swoh dzai NAH-lee?
• 有洗手间吗？ (Yǒu xǐshǒujiān ma?) – yo SHEE-show-jyen mah?
• 我需要上厕所。 (Wǒ xūyào shàng cèsuǒ.) – woh SHOO-yow shahng TSUH-swoh.

Hindi

• शौचालय कहाँ है? (Śaucālay kahā̃ hai?) – SHOW-cha-lay kah-HAN hai?
• क्या आपके पास शौचालय है? (Kyā āpke pās śaucālay hai?) – KYAH ahp-ke pahs SHOW-cha-lay hai?
• मुझे शौचालय जाना है। (Mujhe śaucālay jānā hai.) – moo-JHAY SHOW-cha-lay JAH-na hai.

Spanish

• ¿Dónde está el baño? – DOHN-deh ehs-TAH ehl BAH-nyoh?
• ¿Tienen un aseo? – TYEH-nen oon ah-SEH-oh?
• Necesito usar el baño. – neh-seh-SEE-toh oo-SAR ehl BAH-nyoh.

French

• Où sont les toilettes? – oo sohn lay twah-LET?
• Avez-vous des toilettes? – ah-veh VOO day twah-LET?
• J’ai besoin d’utiliser les toilettes. – zhay buh-ZWEN dew-tee-lee-ZAY lay twah-LET.

Modern Standard Arabic

• أين المرحاض؟ (Ayna al-mirḥāḍ?) – AY-nah al-meer-HAHD?
• هل لديك مرحاض؟ (Hal ladayka mirḥāḍ?) – hal la-DAY-ka meer-HAHD?
• أحتاج إلى استخدام المرحاض. (Aḥtāj ilā istikhdām al-mirḥāḍ.) – ah-TAAJ ee-lah ees-tee-KHDAHM al-meer-HAHD.

Russian

• Где туалет? (Gde tualet?) – gdeh TOO-ah-let?
• У вас есть туалет? (U vas yest’ tualet?) – oo vas YEST’ TOO-ah-let?
• Мне нужно воспользоваться туалетом. (Mne nuzhno vospol’zovat’sya tualetom.) – mneh NOOZH-nah vasp-ohl-zoh-VAT-syah TOO-ah-le-tom.

Portuguese

• Onde fica o banheiro? – OHN-dah FEE-kah oo bahn-YAY-roh?
• Você tem um banheiro? – voh-SEH TEHM oon bahn-YAY-roh?
• Eu preciso usar o banheiro. – ay-oo preh-SEE-zoh oo-ZAR oo bahn-YAY-roh.

German

• Wo ist die Toilette? – voh ist dee toi-LET-tuh?
• Haben Sie eine Toilette? – HAH-ben zee EYE-nuh toi-LET-tuh?
• Ich muss die Toilette benutzen. – ick muss dee toi-LET-tuh beh-NOOT-zen.

Japanese

• トイレはどこですか？ (Toire wa doko desu ka?) – TOH-ee-reh wah DOH-koh deh-soo kah?
• トイレがありますか？ (Toire ga arimasu ka?) – TOH-ee-reh gah ah-ree-MAHS kah?
• トイレを使いたいです。 (Toire o tsukaitai desu.) – TOH-ee-reh oh tsoo-KAI-tai deh-soo.

Universal Sign Language for “Toilet”

While knowing the local word for “toilet” and other bathroom-related phrases is a plus, it’s tough to recall these terms when nature calls. Fortunately, it’s nothing a little impromptu sign language can’t solve. It turns out the shared human need to use the restroom goes even deeper than language. Here are some simple and effective gestures that will be widely understood.

Hand over abdomen.

Placing your hand over your abdomen, gently pressing, and leaning forward is a dead giveaway that you’re on a mission to find a toilet.

Crossed legs.

You know those humorous bathroom signs with the person with crossed legs? That’s what you need to channel! Whether you’re sitting or standing, crossing your legs and grimacing will surely signal your desire to pee.

Mimic sitting on a toilet.

If all else fails, it’s time to break out those charade skills. Mimic sitting on a toilet like you’re slowly sitting in an invisible chair. If you’re in a country with squat-style restrooms, you might have to pull an audible.

The Portland Loo is a world traveler itself with units in more than 20 cities spanning three continents! If you’re eager to join the club, read our guide for bringing a Loo to your city!