What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 화장실 (bathroom), 가다 (to go) and the grammar pattern -아/어도 되다 (to be okay to/to be allowed to).
Which one should you use?
While 화장실 가도 돼요? is the standard polite way to ask, you might encounter other variations: 화장실에 갈 수 있을까요? (May I go to the bathroom?), 화장실을 좀 가도 될까요? (Can I go to the bathroom for a moment?), 저, 화장실 좀 다녀와도 돼요? (Excuse me, may I go to the bathroom and come back?), 화장실 가도 될까요? (Is it okay if I go to the bathroom?) and 화장실 좀 가도 돼요? (Can I go to the bathroom (for a moment)?).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 화장실 가도 돼요? is polite and suitable for use with teachers, strangers or elders. Other formal variations include 화장실에 갈 수 있을까요?, 화장실을 좀 가도 될까요?, 저, 화장실 좀 다녀와도 돼요? and 화장실 가도 될까요?
How does it change in a sentence?
You can change the ending to -나요? to create 화장실 가도 되나요?, which makes the question sound slightly softer and more indirect than using -돼요?
How do you pronounce it?
hwajangsil gado dwaeyo?
Did you know?
- While 'going to the bathroom' is common, in much more formal or public-facing settings, you might see the term 해우소 used, which is a Buddhist term for a place to 'relieve suffering'.
- The word for bathroom, 화장실, literally translates to 'cosmetics room'. This comes from the Chinese characters for 'make-up' and 'room'.
- While 화장실 is the standard word, you may see the older term 변소 in historical dramas, which literally means 'excrement place'.
Examples in context
- 화장실 가도 돼요?hwajangsil gado dwaeyo?Can I go to the bathroom?
- 잠시 화장실 가도 돼요?jamsi hwajangsil gado dwaeyo?Can I go to the bathroom for a moment?
Example conversation
Jieun is in a class and wants to leave for a moment.
- 지은 Ji-eun선생님, 화장실 가도 돼요?seonsaengnim, hwajangsil gado dwaeyo?Teacher, can I go to the bathroom?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 다녀오세요.ne, danyeo-oseyo.Yes, please go ahead.
- 지은 Ji-eun감사합니다.gamsahamnida.Thank you.
- 지훈 Ji-hun빨리 오세요.ppalli oseyo.Please come back quickly.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 가도, 화장실, CC BY-SA 4.0.
