Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| toilettes | /twa.lɛt/ | feminine, plural |
| w.-c. | /ve.se/ | masculine |
The word refers to the fixture or the room used for urination and defecation. In casual conversation, you might also hear the informal term Les chiottes or the euphemism Le petit coin, which literally means "the small corner".
Which one should you use?
The plural form les toilettes refers to the restroom or the facility itself. In contrast, the singular form la toilette refers to the act of washing oneself or one's personal grooming and attire.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a slightly more casual approach, you can use the abbreviation le WC (pronounced 'vé-cé'). In very informal settings, speakers use Les chiottes or Le petit coin.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the room or the fixture, the word is almost always used in its plural form, les toilettes.
How do you pronounce it?
/twa.lɛt/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the singular la toilette to refer to a restroom. This is a common mistake for English speakers. In French, la toilette actually describes personal grooming or an outfit.
Did you know?
- Historically, faire sa toilette described a long, elaborate process of bathing and dressing that was a social ritual for the upper classes.
- The slang term les chiottes originates from the verb chier and is considered vulgar, similar to using 'the john' or 'the lou' in English.
- The English term 'water closet' was borrowed into French as the abbreviation W.-C, which is commonly used in spoken French as 'vé-cé'.
Examples in context
- Où sont les toilettes ?Where is the toilet?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of the restroom using toilettes.Tatoeba #3946 by TRANG, translation #38937 by CK
- Elle est aux toilettes.She's in the toilet.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is currently in the restroom using toilettes.Tatoeba #551938 by zmoo, translation #10131878 by sundown
- Ils vont aux toilettes.They're going to the toilet.This sentence is useful for saying that people are going to the restroom using toilettes.Tatoeba #10464431 by Julien_PDC, translation #11559672 by weirdie
- Excusez-moi, où sont les toilettes?Excuse me, where are the toilets?
- Où se trouvent les WC?Where are the toilets located?
- Je vais aux chiottesI'm going to the bathroom.
- Je vais au petit coinI'm going to the toilet.
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are at a restaurant.
- NathanJe cherche les toilettes, s'il te plaît.I'm looking for the toilets, please.
- ManonElles sont juste là, au fond du couloir.They are right there, at the end of the hallway.
- NathanMerci, Manon. Je reviens tout de suite.Thanks, Manon. I'll be right back.
- ManonPas de problème, Nathan. À tout à l'heure.No problem, Nathan. See you in a bit.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “toilet” translations and entries toilettes, w.-c., CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries w.-c., CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
