Which one should you use?
While aller aux toilettes refers to the act of going to the bathroom, the phrase faire la toilette refers to the actual act of washing one's body or performing personal hygiene.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In formal social settings, it is more polite to say you need to s'absenter un instant (to excuse oneself for a moment) rather than explicitly mentioning the bathroom. For formal requests or questions, you can use Où sont les toilettes, s'il vous plaît ? (Where is the restroom, please?) or Puis-je aller aux toilettes, s'il vous plaît ? (May I go to the restroom, please?). In informal contexts, you might say Est-ce que je peux aller aux toilettes ? (Can I go to the restroom?).
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the singular la toilette to mean the bathroom. However, les toilettes is the standard term for the room itself.
Did you know?
- If you use the phrase aux petits coins in a very informal setting, you are using a childish euphemism for the bathroom.
- In Quebec, it is common to hear aller aux toilettes replaced by aller à la salle de bain. This reflects a North American influence where 'bathroom' implies a room with a bath.
- In many French buildings, you might see the term WC written on a door. This is an abbreviation for 'Water Closet', a term that has remained in common usage in France even though it feels quite old-fashioned to English speakers.
Examples in context
- Je dois aller aux toilettes.I have to go to the bathroom.This sentence is useful for expressing a necessity to use the bathroom with aller aux toilettes.Tatoeba #1462347 by sacredceltic, translation #1461964 by Spamster
- Je veux aller aux toilettes.I want to go to the bathroom.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to use the bathroom with aller aux toilettes.Tatoeba #9312088 by felix63, translation #2013577 by CK
- Puis-je aller aux toilettes ?May I go to the bathroom?This sentence is useful for asking permission to use the bathroom with aller aux toilettes.Tatoeba #3269290 by nimfeo, translation #517397 by CK
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are at a restaurant.
- ChloéJe reviens, je dois aller aux toilettes.I'll be back, I have to go to the bathroom.
- HugoD'accord, je garde ta place.Okay, I'll keep your seat.
- ChloéMerci, Hugo !Thanks, Hugo!
- HugoDe rien, Chloé.You're welcome, Chloé.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
