ir al baño
/iɾ al baɲo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'go to the bathroom' is translated into Spanish as ir al baño.
This phrase is used to express the intent to leave a room to use the toilet. In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to use ir al baño to refer to both the room itself and the act of using the toilet.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb ir (to go), the contraction al (to the) and baño (bathroom).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While ir al baño is standard, you can be more formal or polite by using ir al servicio. If you are asking for permission, a formal way to ask is ¿Podría ir al baño, por favor? or ¿Me permite ir al baño? In an informal setting, you might say ¿Me dejas ir al baño? to mean 'Can you let me go to the bathroom?'
Is it said differently in some regions?
Depending on the region, you may hear aseo or servicio used as alternative words for 'bathroom'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the masculine article el contracted with the preposition a to form al.
How do you pronounce it?
/iɾ al baɲo/
Did you know?
- In Argentina and Uruguay, the imperative form andá is used instead of ve, because the verb ir borrowed the form from the verb andar, meaning 'to walk'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, saying ir al baño can be seen as too descriptive, leading people to use vague euphemisms like voy un momento to avoid mentioning the bathroom entirely.
- The word baño traces its history back to the Ancient Greek word balaneîon, which referred to a bath.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedo ir al baño?May I go to the bathroom?This is useful for asking permission to use the bathroom.Tatoeba #1783097 by marcelostockle, translation #517397 by CK
- Quiero ir al baño.I want to go to the bathroom.This is useful for stating your desire to use the bathroom.Tatoeba #2081600 by marcelostockle, translation #2013577 by CK
- Necesito ir al baño.I need to go to the bathroom.This is useful for stating your need to use the bathroom.Tatoeba #1868680 by Shishir, translation #1864529 by Spamster
- ¿Podría ir al baño, por favor?Could I go to the bathroom, please?
- Sí, ve al baño.Yes, go to the bathroom.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are at a restaurant during dinner.
- LucíaPerdón, tengo que ir al baño.Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom.
- AlejandroEstá bien, Lucía, no hay problema.That's fine, Lucía, no problem.
- Lucía¿Sabes dónde puedo ir al baño?Do you know where I can go to the bathroom?
- AlejandroSí, está al fondo del pasillo.Yes, it is at the end of the hallway.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baño, ir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
