baño
/ˈbaɲo/
The English word "bathroom" can be translated into Spanish as baño. Wiktionary also lists cuarto de baño and lavabo.
Meaning: a room with a bathtub (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| baño | /ˈbaɲo/ | |
| cuarto de baño | /ˌkwaɾto de ˈbaɲo/ | masculine |
| lavabo | /laˈbabo/ | masculine |
The most common and versatile way to refer to a bathroom in both domestic and public settings is baño. You can also use the phrase cuarto de baño in conversation. Note that if you are specifically referring to the sink within the bathroom, you should use the word lavabo. Other related items include papel higiénico for toilet paper and secador de manos for a hand dryer.
Which one should you use?
While baño refers to the entire room, lavabo refers specifically to the bathroom sink.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the formal terms servicio and aseo are commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word baño is a masculine noun and is used with the definite article el to form el baño. The forms cuarto de baño and lavabo are also masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbaɲo/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word baño can also refer to a 'coat of paint' or a 'plating' of metal, as in baño de oro for gold-plating.
- The word cuarto, meaning 'room', comes from the Latin word for 'fourth'. This is because houses were historically divided into four or five sections.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to ask ¿Dónde está el servicio? in a restaurant, using a word that literally means 'service'.
Examples in context
- Sami usó el baño.Sami used the bathroom.This sentence shows how to use baño to indicate someone used the room.Tatoeba #9176661 by ignacio, translation #7189639 by OsoHombre
- ¿Puedo ir al baño?May I go to the bathroom?This sentence is a common way to ask for permission to use the baño.Tatoeba #1783097 by marcelostockle, translation #517397 by CK
- Quiero ir al baño.I want to go to the bathroom.This sentence expresses a desire to use the baño.Tatoeba #2081600 by marcelostockle, translation #2013577 by CK
- ¿Dónde está el baño?Where is the bathroom?
- ¿Puede indicarme dónde está el servicio?Can you tell me where the bathroom is?
- ¿Dónde se encuentra el aseo?Where is the bathroom located?
- 130 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía is showing Daniel her new apartment.
- SofíaEste es el baño.This is the bathroom.
- DanielEs muy amplio y moderno.It is very spacious and modern.
- SofíaSí, el baño tiene una bañera grande.Yes, the bathroom has a large bathtub.
- DanielMe gusta mucho el diseño.I really like the design.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bathroom” translations and entries baño, cuarto de baño, lavabo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baño, cuarto, de, lavabo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
