トイレに行ってもいいですか？
toire ni ittemo ii desu ka?
To ask can I go to the toilet? In Japanese, say トイレに行ってもいいですか？ (toire ni ittemo ii desu ka?), a polite request for permission.
Use it in class, at work or as a guest when you want to excuse yourself to use the restroom.
What does it mean word for word?
トイレ (toire) means toilet, に (ni) means to, 行って (itte) is the te form of go, もいい (mo ii) means is it okay if and ですか (desu ka) makes it a polite question.
Which one should you use?
お手洗いに行ってもよろしいでしょうか？ is a much more formal version for business or formal social settings. お手洗い (otearai), literally hand washing, sounds more elegant than トイレ. With friends or family you can say トイレ行っていい？
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お手洗いに行ってもよろしいでしょうか？ is the formal choice. トイレ行っていい？ is casual and only for people you are close to.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often say トイレに行きたいです, I want to go to the toilet. Asking for permission with 行ってもいいですか is usually more socially appropriate.
When do people say it?
The usual answer is はい、いいですよ, yes, that is fine.
Did you know?
- Japan is world-famous for its 'washlets', high-tech toilets with heated seats and bidet functions. These features are so common that the brand name ウォシュレット (woshuretto) is often used to describe the toilet itself.
- In Japanese culture, it is common to avoid saying the word for toilet directly in high-end restaurants. Instead, people may vaguely ask for the 'direction' of the facility to be more discreet.
- The formal term お手洗い (otearai) uses the honorific prefix お (o), which is added to the word to show respect to the listener or the environment.
Examples in context
- 失礼ですが、トイレに行ってもいいですか？
はい、どうぞ。Excuse me, but may I go to the toilet?
Yes, please go ahead. - トイレ行ってもいい？
うん、いいよ。Can I go to the toilet?
Yeah, go ahead. - すみません、トイレに行ってもいいですか？Sumimasen, toire ni ittemo ii desu ka?Excuse me, can I go to the toilet?
- 会議の前に、トイレに行ってもいいですか？Kaigi no mae ni, toire ni ittemo ii desu ka?Can I go to the toilet before the meeting?
- 少しの間、トイレに行ってもいいですか？Sukoshi no aida, toire ni ittemo ii desu ka?Can I go to the toilet for a moment?
Example conversation
Yui is at Kenta's house and needs to use the restroom.
- 結衣 Yui健太さん、トイレに行ってもいいですか？Kenta-san, toire ni ittemo ii desu ka?Kenta, can I go to the toilet?
- 健太 Kentaはい、あちらです。Hai, achira desu.Yes, it is over there.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
- 健太 Kentaどうぞ。Douzo.Please (go ahead).
