厕所

• Pinyin: cè suǒ
• Hanzi breakdown: 厕 = 厂 + 则, latrine; 所 = 户 + 斤, place

Meaning

Toilet; bathroom; restroom. A facility for bodily functions.

The most common and direct term for bathroom/toilet in Chinese. More direct than euphemisms like 洗手间 (restroom) or 卫生间 (washroom). Used in everyday speech and signage. Public restrooms in China are often labeled 公共厕所 or abbreviated as 公厕.

Examples

1. 请问厕所在哪里？我实在憋不住了。 Excuse me, where is the bathroom? I really can't hold it anymore.
2. 这家商场的厕所打扫得很干净。 The bathrooms in this mall are kept very clean.
3. 飞机上的厕所空间太小了。 The bathroom on the airplane is way too small.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, directions

Tone: direct

Do Say

• 我去一下厕所，马上回来。(I'm going to the bathroom — I'll be right back.)
• 厕所排队的人太多了。(There are too many people queuing for the bathroom.)

Don't Say

• 在正式或高雅场合，用'洗手间'或'卫生间'更得体 (In formal or elegant settings, use 洗手间 or 卫生间 instead — they're more polite)

Origin & History

Compound of 厕 (latrine) + 所 (place). Literally 'latrine place.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal