baðherbergi
[ˈpaːðˌhɛrpɛrcɪ]neuter
The Icelandic word for bathroom is baðherbergi.
The term baðherbergi specifically refers to a room that contains a bathtub.
Meaning: a room with a bathtub (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of bað, meaning bath and herbergi, meaning room.
Which one should you use?
While baðherbergi refers to the room itself, the word bað refers specifically to the act of bathing or the bath itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
baðherbergi is a variation used in some rural areas.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a neuter noun. When referring to the bathroom as a location (for example, 'in the bathroom'), use the dative form baðherberginu. To indicate possession or the genitive case ('of the bathroom'), use baðherbergis.
Did you know?
- The word bað is also used in the phrase baðstofa, which historically referred to a communal living and sleeping area in old turf houses.
- In many modern Icelandic homes, the 'bathroom' is split into two separate rooms: one for the toilet and one for the shower, meaning you might not find a single room called a baðherbergi.
- If you are a guest in an Icelandic home, asking 'where is the baðherbergi?' might lead you to a room with a tub, but if you only need the toilet, it is more common to ask for klóset.
Examples in context
- Ef ég fer í heita sturtu kemur móða á spegilinn í baðherberginu.If I take a hot shower, the mirror in the bathroom fogs up.This sentence shows how the word changes to the dative form baðherberginu when describing a location.Tatoeba #4171635 by lifind, translation #4149460 by Hybrid
- Hún er í baðherberginu.She is in the bathroom.This sentence demonstrates the use of the dative form baðherberginu to indicate being inside the room.Tatoeba #483002 by Swift, translation #456721 by lukaszpp
- Það var ekkert baðherbergi.There was no bathroom.This sentence uses the base form baðherbergi.Tatoeba #1981238 by volhardt, translation #64040 by CK
- Afsakið, getið þið sagt mér hvar salernið er?Excuse me, can you tell me where the bathroom is?
- Hey, veistu hvar klóið er?Hey, do you know where the bathroom is?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Guðrún and Gunnar are showing each other their new apartment.
- GuðrúnHér er stórt baðherbergi.Here is a large bathroom.
- GunnarEr það baðkar í baðherberginu?Is there a bathtub in the bathroom?
- GuðrúnJá, það er mjög fallegt.Yes, it is very beautiful.
- GunnarÞað er frábært, Guðrún.That is great, Guðrún.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bathroom” translations and entries baðherbergi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
