How do you use "Lavatory" in a sentence?

Excuse me, where is the lavatory? The aircraft lavatory is occupied. Down the hall to the lav.

Lavatory

Q: What does "Lavatory" mean?

Formal term for toilet; place for washing. 'Lavatory' is a more formal word for toilet, from Latin 'lavare' (to wash). Sounds old-fashioned or upper-class to some. 'Lav' is the shortened informal version. Common on aeroplanes.

Slang Term British ★★★☆☆ Moderate Formal

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Meaning: Formal term for toilet; place for washing.

厕所的正式称呼；洗手间。

Término formal para el váter; lugar para lavarse.

トイレの正式な呼び方。洗面所。

화장실의 격식적인 표현. 세면장.

'Lavatory' is a more formal word for toilet, from Latin 'lavare' (to wash). Sounds old-fashioned or upper-class to some. 'Lav' is the shortened informal version. Common on aeroplanes.

'Lavatory'是更正式的厕所用语，源自拉丁语'lavare'（洗）。在一些人听来显得老式或上流社会。'Lav'是其非正式的缩写形式。在飞机上常用。

'Lavatory' es una palabra más formal para el váter, del latín 'lavare' (lavar). A algunos les suena anticuado o de clase alta. 'Lav' es la versión abreviada e informal. Común en los aviones.

「Lavatory」はトイレのより正式な呼び方で、ラテン語の「lavare（洗う）」に由来する。古風あるいは上流階級的に聞こえる人もいる。「Lav」は略したカジュアルな形。飛行機内でよく使われる。

'Lavatory'는 라틴어 'lavare(씻다)'에서 유래한 화장실의 격식적인 표현입니다. 다소 구식이거나 상류층 느낌이 날 수 있습니다. 줄여서 'lav'라고도 합니다. 비행기 안에서 흔히 사용됩니다.

Examples

Excuse me, where is the lavatory?
请问洗手间在哪里？
Disculpe, ¿dónde está el lavabo?
すみません、お手洗いはどちらですか？
실례합니다, 화장실이 어디입니까?
The aircraft lavatory is occupied.
飞机上的洗手间有人使用
El lavabo del avión está ocupado
機内のお手洗いは使用中です
기내 화장실은 사용 중입니다.
Down the hall to the lav.
沿走廊走就是洗手间
Al fondo del pasillo está el lavabo
廊下を進むとトイレがあります
복도 끝에 화장실이 있습니다.

Pronunciation

/ˈlævətri/

Usage Guide

Context: formal situations, aviation

Tone: formal, polite

✓ Do Say

Formal/old-fashioned for toilet
厕所的正式/老式称呼
formal/anticuado para váter
トイレの正式な・古風な呼び方
화장실의 격식적/구식 표현

✗ Don't Say

Sounds dated to younger people
对年轻人来说听起来过时
Suena anticuado para los jóvenes
若い人には古臭く聞こえる
젊은 세대에게는 구식으로 들림

Common Mistakes

Sounds old-fashioned or posh

Origin & History

From Latin 'lavatorium' (place for washing). Originally meant washing basin. Became euphemism for toilet room. 'Lav' is the casual shortened form.

Etymology: Latin lavare (to wash)

First recorded: 14th century washing, toilet meaning later

Cultural Context

Era: 14th century onwards

Generation: Older generations

Social background: Upper/middle class

Pop culture: Period dramas

Regional notes: British. Formal/dated.

Variations

LavatoryLav