How to Say “Public restroom” in Chinese
Getting around · HSK 2
"Public restroom" in Chinese is 公共厕所 (Gōnggòng cèsuǒ). Three words cover the same idea with very different registers. 厕所 (cèsuǒ) is blunt and everyday; perfectly fine on signs and when asking directions.
Primary translation
公共厕所
Gōnggòng cèsuǒ
Traditional: 公共廁所
Variants by register
Formal
公共洗手间
Gōnggòng xǐshǒujiān
Casual
公厕
Gōngcè
When to use it
Three words cover the same idea with very different registers. 厕所 (cèsuǒ) is blunt and everyday; perfectly fine on signs and when asking directions. 洗手间 (xǐshǒujiān, 'hand-washing room') is the polite version you'd use in a nice restaurant or hotel; it's the Chinese equivalent of saying 'restroom' instead of 'toilet.' 卫生间 (wèishēngjiān) is the most common word for bathrooms inside apartments. Two survival tips: public restrooms in China often don't provide toilet paper; carry tissues. And many older public 公厕 are squat toilets (蹲厕 dūn cè); look for 坐厕 (zuò cè) if you prefer a seat.
Example sentences
请问最近的公共厕所在哪里？
Qǐngwèn zuìjìn de gōnggòng cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?
Excuse me, where is the nearest public restroom?
洗手间在二楼，电梯右边。
Xǐshǒujiān zài èr lóu, diàntī yòubian.
The restroom is on the second floor, to the right of the elevator.
这个公厕有坐厕吗？
Zhège gōngcè yǒu zuò cè ma?
Does this public restroom have a seated toilet?