Usage patterns 〈 場ば 所しょ 〉 で 顔かお を 洗あら う to wash one's face at a place
I washed my face in the washroom before heading out.
〈 場ば 所しょ 〉 を 借か りる to borrow the use of a place
Excuse me, may I use the washroom?
〈 場ば 所しょ 〉 に 行い く to go to a place
I'm just going to the washroom for a moment.
Kanji 洗 wash, inquire into, probe Related words お手洗い is a polite, softer way to refer to the same washroom area that 洗面所 describes more plainly.
化粧室 is a more formal or upscale term (often used in hotels or department stores) for the same kind of washroom as 洗面所 .
トイレ refers specifically to the toilet itself, while 洗面所 emphasizes the sink area even though the two rooms often overlap.
便所 is an older, blunter word for the toilet room, whereas 洗面所 sounds more neutral and is preferred in polite or public signage.
洗面所 refers to the actual washroom/sink room, whereas 手洗い is a euphemistic term for the toilet itself.
Don't confuse with 浴室 is a bathing room with a tub or shower, while 洗面所 is the separate area for washing hands and face, though both can appear together in a home.
洗面所 refers to the whole washroom or lavatory, while 洗面台 is just the sink fixture inside it.
Etymology Compound of 洗面 (washing one's face) + 所 (place). The kanji 洗 means 'wash', 面 means 'face', and 所 means 'place'.
Report an issue with this page
Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
