What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of トイレ (toilet), ni (to) and ikitai (want to go).
Which one should you use?
While ikitai expresses a desire ("want to go"), the phrase iku hitsuyo ga aru would express a necessity ("need to go"). However, ikitai is much more common for expressing this need in everyday speech.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more polite version suitable for use with teachers or strangers, you can add desu to the end to say トイレに行きたいです. Additionally, お手洗い is a more polite and indirect way to refer to the restroom than トイレ.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase polite, you can add desu to the end, resulting in トイレに行きたいです.
How do you pronounce it?
toire ni ikitai
When do people say it?
When asking for permission to use a restroom in a public place or someone's home, it is more natural to ask "Can I borrow the toilet?" using トイレを借りてもいいですか？ rather than stating that you want to go to the toilet.
Did you know?
- Japanese culture emphasizes cleanliness so highly that it is common to see 'toilet slippers' provided at the door, which must be worn only inside the restroom and removed before exiting.
- In very formal settings, people may use the word 席 meaning 'seat' to vaguely refer to leaving their place to use the restroom without mentioning the room at all.
- If you are at a restaurant and cannot find the toilet, you might ask for the 化粧室 (keshou-shitsu). This term literally means 'powder room' or 'make-up room', used in more upscale or formal settings.
Examples in context
- 失礼ですが、トイレを使わせていただけますか。Excuse me, may I use the restroom?
- 恐れ入りますが、トイレをお借りできますでしょうか。I'm sorry to bother you, but can I use the restroom?
- トイレが近くなった。The bathroom has become close (urgent).
- ちょっとトイレに行かせて。Let me go to the bathroom for a moment.
- トイレに行きたいです。toire ni ikitai desu.I want to go to the bathroom.
- すみません、トイレに行きたいのですが。sumimasen, toire ni ikitai no desu ga.Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are shopping at a mall.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、トイレに行きたい。Yui, toire ni ikitai.Yui, I need to use the bathroom.
- 結衣 Yuiあそこに見えるよ。Asoko ni mieru yo.I can see one over there.
- 蓮 Renありがとう。すぐ戻るね。Arigatou. Sugu modoru ne.Thanks. I'll be right back.
- 結衣 Yuiうん、ここで待ってるね。Un, koko de matteru ne.Okay, I'll wait here.
