How to Say "Go to the Bathroom" in Chinese

上厕所

shàng cèsuǒ

In Chinese, the phrase for "go to the bathroom" is 上厕所 (shàng cèsuǒ).

The phrase 上厕所 is the most common, direct way to express the need to use the toilet in daily conversation.

What does it mean word for word?

上厕所 is composed of 上 (shàng), meaning "to go to" or "to attend" and 厕所 (cèsuǒ), meaning "toilet".

For a more polite and indirect approach in social settings, you can use 去洗手间 (qù xǐshǒujiān), which translates to "go to the restroom".

shàng cèsuǒ

In some dialects or more informal settings, you might hear people say they are going to 解手 (jiěshǒu), which literally means 'to untie one's hands'.
In many parts of mainland China, people might use the term 方便 (fāngbiàn), which literally means 'convenient'. It is a very common way to euphemistically say one needs to 'relieve oneself'.
The character 上 (shàng) in 上厕所 is the same character used for 'going to work' 上班 (shàngbān) or 'going to school' 上学 (shàngxué).

我要上厕所。
I need to go to the bathroom.
This sentence is useful for expressing that you need to go to the bathroom using 上厕所.
Tatoeba #3626651 by GlossaMatik, translation #1864529 by Spamster
他在上厕所。
Tā zài shàng cèsuǒ.
He is using the bathroom.

Two friends are at a cafe.

晓雯 Xiaowen

浩然，你在做什么？
Hàorán, nǐ zài zuò shénme?
Haoran, what are you doing?
浩然 Haoran

我等一下要去上厕所。
Wǒ děng yīxià yào qù shàng cèsuǒ.
I need to go to the bathroom in a moment.
晓雯 Xiaowen

好，那我在这里等你。
Hǎo, nà wǒ zài zhèlǐ děng nǐ.
Okay, then I will wait for you here.
浩然 Haoran

没问题，很快就回来。
Méi wèntí, hěn kuài jiù huílái.
No problem, I'll be back soon.

Sources

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