How do you use "Call of nature" in a sentence?

Excuse me, the call of nature. I must answer the call of nature. Nature calls.

Call of nature

Q: What does "Call of nature" mean?

Polite euphemism for needing to use the toilet. 'Call of nature' is a polite way to say you need the toilet—suggesting nature is calling you to perform natural bodily functions. Victorian-era euphemism still used humorously.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Neutral

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Meaning: Polite euphemism for needing to use the toilet.

需要上厕所的礼貌委婉语。

Eufemismo educado para necesitar ir al váter.

トイレに行きたいという丁寧な婉曲表現。

화장실에 가고 싶다는 정중한 완곡 표현.

'Call of nature' is a polite way to say you need the toilet—suggesting nature is calling you to perform natural bodily functions. Victorian-era euphemism still used humorously.

'Call of nature（自然的呼唤）'是表示需要上厕所的礼貌说法——暗示自然在呼唤你去完成自然的身体功能。维多利亚时代的委婉语，现在仍以幽默方式使用。

'Call of nature' (la llamada de la naturaleza) es una forma educada de decir que necesitas ir al váter, sugiriendo que la naturaleza te llama para cumplir funciones corporales naturales. Eufemismo de la era victoriana que aún se usa con humor.

「Call of nature（自然の呼び声）」はトイレに行きたいと言う丁寧な表現。自然の身体機能を果たすために自然が呼んでいるという暗示。ヴィクトリア朝時代の婉曲表現で、今もユーモラスに使われる。

'Call of nature'는 화장실에 가야 한다는 것을 정중하게 표현하는 말로, 자연이 자연스러운 신체 기능을 수행하라고 부르고 있다는 뉘앙스입니다. 빅토리아 시대의 완곡 표현으로 지금도 유머러스하게 사용됩니다.

Examples

Excuse me, the call of nature.
不好意思，自然在召唤
Disculpe, la llamada de la naturaleza
失礼、自然の呼び声でして
실례합니다, 자연의 부름이라서요.
I must answer the call of nature.
我必须回应自然的召唤
Debo responder a la llamada de la naturaleza
自然の呼び声に応えなければ
자연의 부름에 응해야겠습니다.
Nature calls.
自然在呼唤
La naturaleza llama
自然が呼んでいる
자연이 부르고 있어요.

Pronunciation

/kɔːl əv ˈneɪtʃə/

Usage Guide

Context: polite euphemism

Tone: polite, often humorous

✓ Do Say

Polite way to excuse yourself
礼貌地离席的说法
forma educada de excusarse
丁寧に席を外す言い方
자리를 비울 때 정중하게 말하는 표현

✗ Don't Say

Sounds somewhat old-fashioned
听起来有些老式
Suena algo anticuado
やや古風に聞こえる
다소 구식으로 들림

Common Mistakes

Often used humorously now

Origin & History

Victorian-era euphemism suggesting bodily needs are natural calls that must be answered. Avoids directly mentioning toilet use. Still used, often with humorous tone.

Etymology: Natural bodily functions metaphor

First recorded: 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common phrase

Regional notes: Universal English.

Variations

Call of natureNature callsAnswer nature's call