Ways to say it
| Persian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| حمام | hammâm | /ham.ˈmaːm/ (Classical Persian) |
| دَسْتْشویی | dastšuyi |
In Persian, the choice of word depends on whether the room contains bathing facilities or is simply a restroom. Use حمام to describe a room equipped with a bathtub or a shower. Use دَسْتْشویی when you are referring to a restroom or a toilet.
What does it mean word for word?
The word دَسْتْشویی is a compound meaning a "hand-wash place". It is composed of دست (hand) and the root of شستن (to wash).
Which one should you use?
حمام specifically refers to a room containing a bathtub or shower. In contrast, دَسْتْشویی refers to a restroom or toilet. If you are in a public setting, such as a restaurant and need to find a restroom, you should use دَسْتْشویی rather than حمام.
How do you pronounce it?
The word حمام is pronounced /ham.ˈmaːm/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- While دَسْتْشویی is the standard term for a restroom, if you are looking for a public toilet in a modern city, you might also see the word سرویس (service) used on signs.
- In many older Persian buildings, a حمام was not just a private room but a large, social public bathhouse used for community gatherings.
- The word حمام is a loanword from Arabic, rather than being a native Persian term.
Examples in context
- من همچنین یک قفسه‌ی حوله در حمام می‌خواهم.I also want a towel rack in the bathroom.This sentence shows how to use حمام when discussing towel racks.Tatoeba #12879062 by Amirreza_Farid, translation #8597249 by Amastan
- این فرچه توالت متعلق به حمام هست، نه برای تو آشپزخانه.That toilet brush belongs in the bathroom, not in the kitchen.This sentence demonstrates the use of حمام when talking about where a toilet brush belongs.Tatoeba #8962826 by Hassan66, translation #680354 by Source_VOA
- می‌شود به دستشویی بروم؟May I go to the bathroom?
- لطفاً مسیر دستشویی را به من بگویید.Please tell me the way to the bathroom.
- کجاست توالت؟Where is the bathroom?
- آیا حمام این خانه بزرگ است؟Āyā hammām-e in khāne bozorg ast?Is the bathroom of this house big?
Example conversation
Reza and Maryam are discussing renovations for their new apartment.
- رضا Rezaمن می‌خواهم حمام را بازسازی کنم.Man mikhāham hammām rā bāzsāzi konam.I want to renovate the bathroom.
- مریم Maryamآیا حمام فضای کافی برای وان دارد؟Āyā hammām fasā-ye kāfi barāye vān dārad?Does the bathroom have enough space for a bathtub?
- رضا Rezaبله، حمام بسیار بزرگ است.Bale, hammām besyār bozorg ast.Yes, the bathroom is very big.
- مریم Maryamپس آن ایده‌ی خوبی است.Pas ān ide-ye khubi ast.Then that is a good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bathroom” translations and entries حمام, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries حمام, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
