Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| banheiro | /bɐ̃ˈɲe(j).ɾu/ (Brazil) /bɐˈɲɐj.ɾu/ (Portugal) |
Brazil, masculine |
| casa de banho | /ˈka.zɐ dɨ ˈbɐ.ɲu/ (Portugal) | Portugal, feminine |
The term refers to a room containing a bathtub. In Brazil, the word banheiro can be used more broadly to describe both a room with a bathtub and a simple toilet room. You may also encounter the term banheiro social to specifically refer to a guest bathroom or a bathroom intended for visitors.
Which one should you use?
In Brazil, the term banheiro is used, while in Portugal, the standard phrase is casa de banho.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the standard word is banheiro. In Portugal, the standard phrase is casa de banho. Additionally, in certain regions, notably São Paulo, the abbreviation WC is sometimes used.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Brazil, banheiro is a masculine noun and is used with the masculine article o (o banheiro). In Portugal, casa de banho is a feminine noun phrase and is used with the feminine article a (a casa de banho).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable. The IPA is /bɐ̃ˈɲe(j).ɾu/.
Did you know?
- The root of banheiro traces back to the Ancient Greek word balaneîon, which originally referred to a public bath or a place for bathing.
- The suffix -eiro in banheiro is a common Portuguese tool for turning a noun into a word for a place or profession.
- In many high-end Brazilian hotels or shopping malls, you might see the abbreviation WC on signs, which stands for 'Water Closet', a term used more frequently in Portuguese-speaking spaces than in many English-speaking ones.
Examples in context
- Onde é o banheiro?Where is the bathroom?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of the banheiro.Tatoeba #976274 by alexmarcelo, translation #2136 by brauliobezerra
- Este é o banheiro.This is the bathroom.This sentence is useful for pointing out the banheiro.Tatoeba #4816003 by Loveless, translation #2547621 by CK
- Posso ir ao banheiro?May I go to the bathroom?This sentence is useful for asking permission to use the banheiro.Tatoeba #956442 by alexmarcelo, translation #517397 by CK
- Onde fica o banheiro, por favor?Where is the bathroom, please?
- Poderia me informar onde encontro o toalete?Could you please inform me where I can find the restroom?
- Onde tem um sanitário aqui, meu camarada?Where is a bathroom around here, buddy?
- Posso usar o banheiro?Can I use the bathroom?
- 113 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo is visiting Mariana's new apartment.
- RodrigoSua casa é linda! Onde fica o banheiro?Your house is beautiful! Where is the bathroom?
- MarianaO banheiro fica logo ali no corredor.The bathroom is right there in the hallway.
- RodrigoO banheiro tem banheira também?Does the bathroom have a bathtub too?
- MarianaSim, Rodrigo, tem sim.Yes, Rodrigo, it does.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bathroom” translations and entries banheiro, casa de banho, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries banheiro, banho, casa, casa de banho, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
