To ask where the toilet is in Japanese, say トイレはどこですか (toire wa doko desu ka). The more polite お手洗いはどこですか (otearai wa doko desu ka) suits restaurants, hotels and offices. Start with すみません (sumimasen) to get attention. On signs, look for トイレ, お手洗い or, in department stores and hotels, 化粧室 (keshōshitsu).
- Standard
- トイレはどこですか (toire wa doko desu ka)
- Polite
- お手洗いはどこですか (otearai wa doko desu ka)
- Very polite
- お手洗いはどちらですか (dochira)
- May I use it?
- トイレを借りてもいいですか
- Level
- A1
Which word for toilet should you use?
トイレ (toire) is the everyday word, borrowed from English "toilet", and nobody finds it crude. お手洗い (otearai, literally "hand-washing") is the polite choice when you are asking staff. The rest are words you will mostly read on signs.
| Japanese | Romaji | Register | Where you'll meet it |
|---|---|---|---|
| トイレ | toire | Neutral | Speech and signs everywhere |
| お手洗い | otearai | Polite | Asking in restaurants, hotels, offices |
| 化粧室 | keshōshitsu | Formal | Department store and hotel signs |
| 便所 | benjo | Blunt, old-fashioned | Old signs; avoid saying it |
| 男性 / 男 | dansei / otoko | Sign | Men |
| 女性 / 女 | josei / onna | Sign | Women |
| 多目的トイレ | tamokuteki toire | Sign | Accessible, multi-purpose toilet |
How does the doko desu ka question work?
どこ means "where". The pattern is simply [thing] は どこ ですか: swap in the station, the exit or the toilet. For extra politeness, use どちら (dochira) in place of どこ.
すみません、お手洗いはどちらですか。
Sumimasen, otearai wa dochira desu ka.
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
Very polite: a hotel lobby or a nice restaurant.
この近くにトイレはありますか。
Kono chikaku ni toire wa arimasu ka.
Is there a toilet near here?
トイレを借りてもいいですか。
Toire o karite mo ii desu ka.
May I use your toilet?
Literally "borrow": in a shop, café or someone's home.
ちょっとトイレに行ってきます。
Chotto toire ni itte kimasu.
I'm just popping to the loo.
What directions will you hear back?
Answers are usually short, often with a pointed hand. One trap for British visitors: Japanese floors count like American ones, so 一階 (ikkai) is the ground floor and 二階 (nikai) is the first floor.
- あちらですachira desuIt's over there
- 右migiright
- 左hidarileft
- まっすぐmassugustraight ahead
- 突き当たりtsukiatariat the end of the corridor
- 奥okuat the back
- 二階nikaifirst floor (UK)
- 地下chikabasement
What should you know about Japanese toilets?
Many toilets have a control panel, labelled in kanji. In homes and some traditional restaurants there are separate toilet slippers by the door: wear them inside the toilet and leave them there.
- 流すnagasuflush
- 大daifull flush
- 小shōshort flush
- おしりoshirirear wash
- ビデbidebidet wash
Asking for directions starts with getting attention; see how to say excuse me in Japanese.
Read free Japanese stories at A1, set in shops, stations and homes, and tap any word for its meaning.
Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between toire and otearai?
Only politeness. トイレ is fine in almost any conversation; お手洗い sounds more refined and suits asking staff in a restaurant or hotel. Both point to the same room.
Is benjo rude?
Not a swear word, but it is blunt and old-fashioned, like saying "latrine". You may see it on old signs or hear it from older men; learners should stick to トイレ or お手洗い.
How do you say "I need the toilet" in Japanese?
トイレに行きたいです (toire ni ikitai desu), "I want to go to the toilet". Among friends, ちょっとトイレ (chotto toire) is enough.
Can you use the toilet in a Japanese convenience store?
Often yes, but not always, and some stores keep it for staff. Ask トイレを借りてもいいですか, and it is good manners to buy something.