aller aux toilettes
The English phrase "go to the bathroom" is aller aux toilettes in French.
aller aux toilettes is the standard way to express the need to use the restroom in both formal and informal settings. For more polite inquiries, you might use phrases like Excusez-moi, où sont les toilettes ?, Puis-je utiliser vos toilettes, s'il vous plaît ? or Je dois me rendre aux toilettes. Où puis-je les trouver ?
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase aller aux toilettes literally translates to "to go to the toilets".
Which one should you use?
While aller aux toilettes refers to using the toilet, la salle de bains refers specifically to a room containing a bathtub or shower.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, you might hear Aller à la toilette to refer to going to the bathroom.
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, the word for bathroom/toilet is almost always used in the plural form les toilettes when referring to the room.
Did you know?
- The word toilettes originally referred to the act of 'making up' or grooming oneself, derived from 'toile' meaning 'small cloth'.
- In a professional French office setting, it is more discreet to say Je reviens tout de suite meaning 'I'll be right back' than to explicitly say you are going to the bathroom.
- In some rural or older parts of France, you might hear le petit coin as a playful or discreet euphemism for the toilet, similar to 'the loo' in English.
Examples in context
- Je dois aller aux toilettes.I have to go to the bathroom.Tatoeba #1462347 by sacredceltic, translation #1461964 by Spamster
- Je veux aller aux toilettes.I want to go to the bathroom.Tatoeba #9312088 by felix63, translation #2013577 by CK
- Puis-je aller aux toilettes ?May I go to the bathroom?Tatoeba #3269290 by nimfeo, translation #517397 by CK
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a restaurant, Gabriel feels a sudden need to leave the table.
- GabrielChloé, je dois aller aux toilettes.Chloé, I have to go to the bathroom.
- ChloéD'accord, vas-y.Okay, go ahead.
- GabrielJe reviens tout de suite.I'll be right back.
- ChloéPas de problème.No problem.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aller, aux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
