Chinese word

卫生间

Pronunciation

Pinyinwèi shēng jiān

Meaning

  • nounrestroom

Example

请问，卫生间在哪里？qǐng wèn wèi shēng jiān zài ná lǐ

Excuse me, where is the restroom?

Illustration for 卫生间 (restroom)

More examples

我可以去卫生间吗？wǒ ké yǐ qù wèi shēng jiān ma

May I go to the restroom?

Core concept

A small hygiene-focused room that combines toilet use with handwashing.

Common phrases

  • 去卫生间qù wèi shēng jiān

    go to the restroom

  • 在卫生间里zài wèi shēng jiān lǐ

    in the restroom

  • 公共卫生间gōng gòng wèi shēng jiān

    public restroom

Similar words

洗手间xí shǒu jiān: A room or facility where people can wash their hands and use the toilet.
厕所cè suǒ: A place set aside for using the toilet.

Definition in Chinese

供人上厕所和洗手、保持个人卫生的房间或场所。gōng rén shàng cè suǒ hé xí shǒu bǎo chí gè rén wèi shēng de fáng jiān huò cháng suǒ

Word origin

The term joins 卫 (wèi, "protect") + 生 (shēng, "life") to form 卫生 (wèishēng, "hygiene"), then adds 间 (jiān, "room") to name a room devoted to personal cleanliness.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, this neutral term suits hotels, restaurants, schools, offices, and stations, making it a reliable choice when asking about facilities.

Related words

  • 公共卫生间gōng gòng wèi shēng jiānpublic restroomnoun

Word lists with this word