便所
piān-só͘
The Hokkien word for toilet is 便所 (piān-só͘).
便所 refers to a fixture used for urination and defecation.
Meaning: fixture used for urination and defecation (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Xiamen dialect, people may use 廁所.
How do you pronounce it?
piān-só͘
Did you know?
- While 便所 is used in Hokkien, the word is a loanword from Japanese benjo, reflecting the historical influence of Japan on Taiwan and Okinawa.
- The character 便 in 便所 has a double meaning in Hokkien, as it can refer to both 'convenience' and 'excrement'.
- When speaking to elders in certain Hokkien-speaking communities, one might use much more indirect euphemisms rather than the literal term 便所 to avoid being impolite.
Example conversation
Jianhong and Jiayi are visiting a park.
- 建宏 Kian-hong佳怡，便所佇佗位？Ka-î, piàn-só͘ tī tó-uī?Jiayi, where is the toilet?
- 佳怡 Chia-yi佇彼爿。tī pī-pâng.It is over there.
- 建宏 Kian-hong感謝妳。kám-siā lí.Thank you.
- 佳怡 Chia-yi無問題。bô bûn-tê.No problem.
