How to Say “Can I Go to the Bathroom?” in Vietnamese

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Cho tôi đi vệ sinh được không?
Cho tôi đi vệ sinh được không? is the Vietnamese way to say "can I go to the bathroom?"
This phrase is a polite request used to ask for permission to use the restroom. The expression đi vệ sinh is a standard, polite way to refer to the act of using the restroom, similar to saying "to use the restroom" in English.

What does it mean word for word?

The default form Cho tôi đi vệ sinh được không? literally translates to "Allow me go hygiene, is it okay?"

Which one should you use?

While the default form Cho tôi đi vệ sinh được không? is a standard way to ask, you can use other variations depending on the level of formality. For example, Có thể cho tôi đi nhà vệ sinh được không? translates to "Is it possible for me to go to the restroom?" and Xin lỗi, tôi có thể đi vệ sinh được không? adds an apology to mean "Excuse me, may I go to the restroom?" In more casual settings, you might say Cho mình đi vệ sinh được không? or Mình có thể đi nhà vệ sinh được không?, both of which mean "Can I go to the restroom?"

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

The level of formality changes depending on the words you choose. For highly formal or respectful situations, such as a professional setting or a classroom, it is better to use Em xin phép đi vệ sinh ạ, which means "I beg permission to go to the bathroom" and uses the particle ạ to show respect. For informal situations, you can use Cho mình đi vệ sinh được không? or Mình có thể đi nhà vệ sinh được không?

How does it change in a sentence?

In these phrases, the particle được không? at the end of the sentence is used to turn a statement into a question that asks for permission or possibility.

What mistakes should you avoid?

While it is grammatically correct to say đi nhà vệ sinh, it is much more common to use the euphemism đi vệ sinh when referring to the act itself.

Did you know?

  • The word for 'I' in Cho tôi đi vệ sinh được không? actually traces back to a word meaning 'slave' or 'servant'.

Examples in context

  • Thưa cô, cho tôi đi vệ sinh được không?
    Teacher, can I go to the bathroom?

Example conversation

Chi is in a classroom and asks her classmate for the location before leaving.

  1. Chi

    Tuấn ơi, cho tôi đi vệ sinh được không?
    Tuan, can I go to the bathroom?
  2. Tuấn

    Được chứ, nhưng nhà vệ sinh ở đằng kia.
    Of course, but the bathroom is over there.
  3. Chi

    Tôi thấy rồi, cảm ơn Tuấn nhé.
    I see it, thank you Tuan.
  4. Tuấn

    Không có gì đâu Chi.
    You're welcome, Chi.

Sources

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Elise Brianna
Elise BriannaHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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