Which one should you use?
While łazienka refers to a room with a bathtub or shower, the word toaleta is used to refer specifically to a toilet or a small restroom facility, such as a public restroom.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes its form depending on its role in a sentence. Use łazienkę when the word is the direct object of a verb, such as in 'I am cleaning the bathroom'. The form łazienki is used for the genitive singular, such as in 'there is no bathroom' or for the nominative plural, such as in 'the bathrooms are clean'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable. The IPA is /waˈʑɛn.ka/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use toaleta to mean a full bathroom, but in Polish, łazienka is the more natural term for a room containing a bathtub or shower.
Did you know?
- In many Polish apartments, the toaleta and the łazienka are two completely separate, small rooms rather than one combined space.
- The word łazienka is a diminutive form of the older word łaźnia, which originally referred to a large public bathhouse or a steam bath.
- The term toaleta in Polish is a loanword, whereas łazienka is a native Slavic word.
Examples in context
- Łazienka jest teraz zajęta.The bathroom is occupied now.This sentence is useful for describing the current status of a łazienka.Tatoeba #3962258 by jeedrek, translation #35262 by CK
- Łazienka jest na końcu korytarza.The bathroom is at the end of the hall.This sentence is useful for giving directions to the łazienka.Tatoeba #3648581 by nusia2302, translation #35263 by CK
- Cała łazienka była ze stali nierdzewnej.The entire bathroom was stainless steel.This sentence is useful for describing the materials used in a łazienka.Tatoeba #5217439 by krzysiek, translation #5217436 by krzysiek
- Gdzie jest łazienka?Where is the bathroom?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Krzysztof and Małgorzata are renovating their home.
- KrzysztofCzy ta łazienka jest wystarczająco duża?Is this bathroom big enough?
- MałgorzataTak, zmieści się tu nowa wanna.Yes, a new bathtub will fit here.
- KrzysztofGdzie powinniśmy pomalować ściany w łazience?Where should we paint the walls in the bathroom?
- MałgorzataWybierzmy jasny kolor dla całej łazienki.Let's choose a light color for the whole bathroom.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bathroom” translations and entries łazienka, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries łazienka, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
