cèsuǒ: 厕所 - Toilet, Restroom, Lavatory

Keywords: toilet in Chinese, restroom in Chinese, how to say bathroom in Chinese, cesuo, 厕所, xishoujian, public toilet in China, where is the toilet in Chinese, Mandarin for toilet, Chinese vocabulary

Summary: Learn how to say “toilet” or “restroom” in Chinese with the essential word 厕所 (cèsuǒ). This guide explains its meaning, cultural context, and practical use for travelers and students. Discover the difference between 厕所, 洗手间 (xǐshǒujiān), and 卫生间 (wèishēngjiān) to ask for the bathroom confidently anywhere in China.

Pinyin (with tone marks): cèsuǒ

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 1

Concise Definition: A room or facility equipped with a toilet; a restroom or lavatory.

In a Nutshell: 厕所 (cèsuǒ) is the most common, direct, and universally understood word for “toilet” in Mandarin Chinese. It's a functional, neutral term you can use in almost any situation without being considered rude. If you only learn one word for “restroom” in Chinese, this is the one. It refers to the place where the toilet is, from a simple public stall to a facility in a shopping mall.

厕 (cè): This character is composed of the radical 厂 (chǎng), meaning “cliff” or “shed,” and 则 (zé) for pronunciation. Historically, it refers to a latrine or privy, often a simple structure built onto the side of a main building.

所 (suǒ): This character means “place,” “location,” or “institute.” It's used to designate a specific location for an activity, like in `派出所 (pàichūsuǒ)`, a police substation.

Together, 厕所 (cèsuǒ) literally translates to “toilet place,” a straightforward and descriptive name for the location of the toilet.

While “toilet” might seem purely functional, the term 厕所 touches on modern Chinese societal development. For decades, public restrooms (公共厕所, gōnggòng cèsuǒ) in China had a poor reputation. However, since 2015, the government has launched the “Toilet Revolution” (厕所革命, cèsuǒ gémìng), a massive national campaign to build new and upgrade existing public toilets, especially at tourist sites. This reflects a growing emphasis on quality of life, public health, and tourism.

Comparison to Western Culture: In English, there's a wide range of euphemisms for the toilet (“restroom,” “bathroom,” “lavatory,” “powder room,” “W.C.”). While Chinese has more polite alternatives, 厕所 (cèsuǒ) is used with much more frequency and directness in everyday public life than its direct English equivalent, “toilet.” There is less social pressure to use a euphemism; the focus is on the function. Asking “请问，厕所在哪里？” (Excuse me, where is the toilet?) is completely normal and not considered crude.

In Daily Conversation: This is the default term. You'll use it when asking for directions from a shopkeeper, a friend, or a stranger on the street. It is neutral in tone.

On Signage: 厕所 is the word you will most frequently see on signs in public spaces like airports, train stations, parks, and tourist attractions. Often, you will see it abbreviated to 男厕 (nán cè - Men's Toilet) and 女厕 (nǚ cè - Women's Toilet).

Formality: While perfectly acceptable, in very high-end environments like luxury hotels or fine-dining restaurants, you are more likely to see and hear the more polite term 洗手间 (xǐshǒujiān). However, using 厕所 will always be understood and is never truly “wrong.”

Common Mistake 1: Using 厕所 (cèsuǒ) to refer to the full bathroom (with a shower) in someone's apartment. While they would understand, the more precise word would be 卫生间 (wèishēngjiān).

Common Mistake 2: Confusing it with 浴室 (yùshì). 浴室 specifically means a room for bathing or showering and may not contain a toilet. Asking for the 浴室 when you need a toilet will likely cause confusion.

洗手间 (xǐshǒujiān) - A more polite synonym for 厕所, similar to “restroom” or “washroom.”

卫生间 (wèishēngjiān) - “Bathroom,” typically one in a home or hotel that includes a shower/bath.

公共厕所 (gōnggòng cèsuǒ) - The specific term for a “public toilet.”

马桶 (mǎtǒng) - The physical toilet bowl itself. Literally “horse bucket.”

蹲便器 (dūnbiànqì) - A squat toilet, which is still common in many public restrooms in China.

男厕 (nán cè) - Abbreviation for “Men's Toilet,” often seen on signs.

女厕 (nǚ cè) - Abbreviation for “Women's Toilet,” often seen on signs.

卫生纸 (wèishēngzhǐ) - Toilet paper. (Literally “hygiene paper.”)

厕所革命 (cèsuǒ gémìng) - The “Toilet Revolution,” China's national campaign to improve public restrooms.