洗手间

• Pinyin: xǐ shǒu jiān
• Hanzi breakdown: 洗 = 氵(water) + 先 (phonetic); 手 = pictograph of a hand; 间 = 门 (door) + 日 (sun) — a space between

Meaning

Restroom; washroom; bathroom. A polite term for a room with toilet facilities.

A polite and widely used word for bathroom or restroom. Literally means 'hand-washing room.' More refined than 厕所 (toilet), and commonly used in public places, restaurants, and offices. Interchangeable with 卫生间 in many contexts.

Examples

1. 请问洗手间在哪儿？ Excuse me, where is the restroom?
2. 洗手间在二楼。 The restroom is on the second floor.
3. 我想去一下洗手间。 I'd like to go to the restroom.

Usage Guide

Context: public, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请问洗手间在哪里？(Excuse me, where is the restroom?)
• 洗手间在那边。(The restroom is over there.)

Don't Say

• 你的厕所在哪儿？(Too blunt in polite settings — use 洗手间 instead of 厕所 when speaking formally)

Origin & History

A compound of 洗手 (wash hands) and 间 (room), literally meaning 'the room for washing hands' — a euphemistic name for the toilet.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal