Relieve yourself

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Formal
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Meaning: Polite euphemism for urinating or defecating.

小便或大便的礼貌委婉语。
Eufemismo educado para orinar o defecar.
排尿や排便の丁寧な婉曲表現。
소변이나 대변을 보다는 뜻의 정중한 완곡 표현.

'Relieve yourself' is a polite euphemism for using the toilet—relieving the pressure/discomfort of needing to go. Formal but widely understood.

'Relieve yourself(解手)'是上厕所的礼貌委婉语——缓解需要上厕所的压力/不适。正式但被广泛理解。
'Relieve yourself' (aliviarse) es un eufemismo educado para ir al váter, aliviar la presión/incomodidad de necesitar ir. Formal pero ampliamente comprendido.
「Relieve yourself(楽にする)」はトイレを使うことの丁寧な婉曲表現。トイレに行きたいという圧力や不快感を「relieve(解消する)」こと。正式だが広く理解されている。
'Relieve yourself'는 화장실을 사용하는 것을 뜻하는 정중한 완곡 표현으로, 볼일의 압박감이나 불편함을 '해소(relieve)'한다는 의미입니다. 격식적이지만 널리 이해되는 표현입니다.

Examples

  1. I need to relieve myself.
    我需要解手
    Necesito aliviarme
    用を足さなければ
    용변을 봐야겠습니다.
  2. He went to relieve himself.
    他去解手了
    Fue a aliviarse
    彼は用を足しに行った
    그는 용변을 보러 갔습니다.
  3. Please relieve yourself before the journey.
    请在旅途前先解手
    Por favor, alivíese antes del viaje
    旅行前に用を足してください
    출발 전에 용변을 보세요.

Pronunciation

/rɪˈliːv jɔːˈsɛlf/

Usage Guide

Context: polite, formal

Tone: formal, polite

✓ Do Say

  • Polite/formal euphemism
    礼貌/正式的委婉语
    eufemismo educado/formal
    丁寧な・正式な婉曲表現
    정중하고 격식 있는 완곡 표현

✗ Don't Say

  • Sounds very formal
    听起来非常正式
    Suena muy formal
    とても正式に聞こえる
    매우 격식적으로 들림

Common Mistakes

Origin & History

Formal euphemism treating toilet use as relieving bodily pressure/discomfort. Polite way to discuss the need.

Etymology: Relieve = ease pressure/discomfort

First recorded: 18th century

Cultural Context

Era: 18th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Formal speech

Regional notes: Universal English.

Variations

Relieve yourselfRelieve oneself

More From This Topic

Loo ★★★★★ British term for toilet. Restroom ★★★★★ American term for toilet, especially in public places. Bathroom ★★★★★ American term for toilet room; room with bath. Gents ★★★★★ British term for men's toilet. Ladies ★★★★★ British term for women's toilet. Wee ★★★★★ Children's/polite word for urination.
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