Translation guide
A public restroom or toilet facility. Japanese has several terms depending on formality, context, and whether it's a standalone facility or inside a building.
The most common, neutral way to refer to a public toilet, such as in a park, station, or commercial facility.
When visiting someone's home, the polite way to ask for the bathroom.
Very polite: 'May I borrow your restroom?'
すみません、お手洗いをお借りできますか？
Excuse me, may I use your restroom?
How public lavatories are labeled on signs.
In Japan, it's common to ask 'お手洗いはどこですか？' (Where is the restroom?) or simply 'トイレは？' in casual settings. Avoid direct translations of 'public lavatory' like '公衆便所' which sounds overly formal or crude.
お手洗い is more polite and often used by women or in formal contexts. トイレ is neutral and used by everyone. In casual conversation, トイレ is perfectly fine.
Polite and widely used, especially in department stores, restaurants, and other public places. Literally 'hand-washing place'.
お手洗いはどこですか？
Where is the restroom?
The most common everyday word for toilet/restroom. Slightly more casual than お手洗い but still acceptable in most situations.
すみません、トイレはありますか？
Excuse me, is there a restroom?
Specifically 'public toilet', often used for standalone facilities in parks or streets. More formal and descriptive.
この公園に公衆トイレはありますか？
Is there a public restroom in this park?
A blunt, somewhat old-fashioned word for toilet. Can sound crude; avoid in polite conversation.
Use only in very casual or rough speech; トイレ or お手洗い is almost always better.
便所はどこだ？
Where's the john?
Slightly less formal but still polite: 'Is it okay if I use the toilet?'
トイレを借りてもいいですか？
Can I use the bathroom?
Common on signs in department stores and nicer establishments.
お手洗いはあちらです。
The restroom is that way.
Very common on signs everywhere.
トイレはこちらです。
The toilet is this way.
Literally 'powder room', used on signs in upscale places like hotels or restaurants.
化粧室は2階にございます。
The powder room is on the second floor.
Occasionally seen on signs, borrowed from English.
WCはあちらです。
The WC is over there.