Chinese word

洗手间

Pronunciation

Pinyinxǐ shǒu jiān

Meaning

  • nounrestroom

Example

请问洗手间在哪里？qǐng wèn xí shǒu jiān zài ná lǐ

Excuse me, where is the restroom?

Illustration for 洗手间 (restroom)

More examples

我要去洗手间。wǒ yào qù xí shǒu jiān

I want to go to the restroom.

Core concept

The shared room in a building for washing hands and using the toilet.

Common phrases

  • 去洗手间qù xí shǒu jiān

    go to the restroom

  • 在洗手间zài xí shǒu jiān

    in the restroom

Similar words

厕所cè suǒ: A place with toilets and stalls for using the toilet.
卫生间wèi shēng jiān: A bathroom with facilities for washing the body and using the toilet.

Definition in Chinese

用于洗手、如厕或盥洗的房间或场所，语气较礼貌，常见于公共场所的标识。yòng yú xí shǒu rú cè huò guàn xǐ de fáng jiān huò cháng suǒ yǔ qì jiào lǐ mào cháng jiàn yú gōng gòng cháng suǒ de biāo shí

Word origin

洗手间 (xǐshǒujiān, "restroom") is formed from 洗 (xǐ, "wash") + 手 (shǒu, "hand") + 间 (jiān, "room or space"), so the room is identified by washing hands.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may expect a word like "bathroom" for a room at home, but 洗手间 (xǐshǒujiān, "restroom") is especially useful in public places and does not mean hand washing is its only use.

Other meanings

  • toiletnoun
  • powder roomnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word