banheiro
/bɐ̃ˈɲe(j).ɾu/Brazil, masculine
The English word restroom is banheiro in Portuguese. Wiktionary also lists privada and casa de banho.
Meaning: public room containing a toilet (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| banheiro | /bɐ̃ˈɲe(j).ɾu/ (Brazil) /bɐˈɲɐj.ɾu/ (Portugal) |
Brazil, masculine |
| privada | /pɾiˈva.dɐ/ (Brazil) /pɾiˈva.dɐ/ (Portugal) |
Brazil, feminine |
| casa de banho | /ˈka.zɐ dɨ ˈbɐ.ɲu/ (Portugal) | Portugal, feminine |
| quarto de banho | /ˈkwaʁ.tu d͡ʒi ˈbɐ̃.ɲu/ (Brazil) | Portugal, masculine |
| lavabo | /laˈva.bu/ (Brazil) /lɐˈva.bu/ (Portugal) |
Portugal, masculine |
The most common word for a restroom or public room containing a toilet is banheiro.
Which one should you use?
In Brazil, banheiro refers to the room itself, whereas privada refers specifically to the toilet fixture and is more colloquial. In Portugal, casa de banho is the standard term for a restroom, while quarto de banho is a common alternative for a bathroom.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Banheiro is primarily used in Brazil. In Portugal, you should use casa de banho or quarto de banho for a restroom and you might also encounter the synonym sanitário.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of banheiro is banheiros.
How do you pronounce it?
banheiro is pronounced /bɐ̃ˈɲe(j).ɾu/. It has three syllables and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word quarto in quarto de banho is a cognate of the English word 'fourth', stemming from the Latin 'quartus'.
- In Brazil, using the word privada to refer to the room instead of the toilet fixture can sound overly blunt or slightly crude to some listeners.
- The word lavabo is often used in Brazilian homes to describe a 'half-bath' or a small restroom specifically for guests that lacks a shower.
Examples in context
- Tom foi ao banheiro.Tom went to the restroom.This sentence shows the use of banheiro to describe a past action.Tatoeba #6004665 by bill, translation #2545111 by CK
- Onde fica o banheiro?Where's the restroom?This sentence is a way to ask for the location of the banheiro.Tatoeba #404794 by brauliobezerra, translation #38932 by CK
- Posso ir ao banheiro?May I go to the restroom?This sentence is a polite way to ask permission to use the banheiro.Tatoeba #956442 by alexmarcelo, translation #517399 by CK
- Desculpe-me, onde fica o banheiro?Excuse me, where is the restroom?
- Por favor, onde posso encontrar o toalete?Please, where can I find the restroom?
- Desculpa, onde fica o WC?Sorry, where is the toilet?
- Desculpe-me, onde posso encontrar o banheiro/toalete?Excuse me, where can I find the restroom/toilet?
- O banheiro está perto?Is the restroom nearby?
- Por favor, você pode me indicar onde fica o banheiro/toalete?Please, can you tell me where the restroom/toilet is?
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Rodrigo are at a shopping mall.
- JulianaRodrigo, você sabe onde fica o banheiro?Rodrigo, do you know where the restroom is?
- RodrigoAcho que o banheiro fica ali no corredor.I think the restroom is over there in the hallway.
- JulianaO banheiro é para homens ou mulheres?Is the restroom for men or women?
- RodrigoAquele banheiro é só para mulheres.That restroom is only for women.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “restroom” translations and entries banheiro, privada, casa de banho, quarto de banho, lavabo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries banheiro, banho, casa, casa de banho, de, quarto, quarto de banho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
