baño
everyday, Cuba
In Cuba the everyday word for restroom is baño. Signs on public buildings often read servicios, and sanitario is the more formal word.
Meaning: room with a toilet (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| baño | everyday, Cuba |
| Sanitario | formal |
| Servicios | signs |
To ask for it, say ¿Dónde está el baño? The same question works in a restaurant, a house or a shop, and nobody will find it strange.
Which one should you use?
Baño is the home and restaurant word. Servicios is more of a sign word. In Mexico sanitarios is also the word on signs.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
With staff or someone you do not know, add por favor and use the usted form: ¿Me dice dónde está el baño, por favor?
Did you know?
- Many family-run restaurants in Cuba are called paladares, and the word baño is the one you will hear there most.
Examples in context
- ¿Dónde está el baño, por favor?Where is the restroom, please?
- Voy al baño un momento.I am going to the restroom for a moment.
- Los servicios están al fondo.The restrooms are at the back.
Example conversation
A tourist named Emily asks a waiter at a paladar in Havana for the restroom.
- EmilyDisculpe, ¿dónde está el baño?Excuse me, where is the restroom?
- CamareroAl fondo, a la derecha.At the back, on the right.
- EmilyMuchas gracias.Thank you very much.
