Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| water | /ˈva.ter/ | masculine |
| water closet | masculine | |
| WC | masculine | |
| tazza | /ˈtat.t͡sa/ | feminine |
| vaso | /ˈva.zo/ | masculine |
| vaso sanitario | masculine | |
| cesso | /ˈt͡ʃɛs.so/ | masculine |
These terms refer to the fixture used for urination and defecation. In social situations, Italians usually refer to the room itself as il bagno (the bathroom) rather than using words for the fixture.
What does it mean word for word?
The toilet seat is called tavoletta, which literally means 'the little board'. While tazza usually means 'cup', in the context of a toilet, it refers specifically to the toilet bowl.
Which one should you use?
WC and water closet are used to indicate the location of restrooms. Tazza refers specifically to the bowl. Vaso and vaso sanitario are also used for the fixture.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal or official settings, such as signs in public buildings or announcements, you will see Servizi igienici (sanitary services) or the abbreviation WC. In polite social conversation, use il bagno. The term water is colloquial, while cesso is a slang term that is vulgar and should be avoided in polite company.
How does it change in a sentence?
The terms water, water closet, WC, vaso, vaso sanitario and cesso are masculine nouns. The term tazza is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
water is pronounced /ˈva.ter/.
When do people say it?
On signs indicating facilities, WC is common in public buildings and restaurants. To indicate women's facilities, signs will use the word Donna.
Did you know?
- The Italian word water is actually a 'pseudo-anglicism'. It did not come directly from English but was borrowed from a French shortening of the phrase 'water-closet'.
- The term vaso literally means 'vase' or 'pot' in Italian. In a plumbing context, it refers to the toilet fixture.
- Although WC is widely used on signs, it is pronounced as the individual letters in Italian rather than as a single word.
Examples in context
- Buttalo nella tazza del cesso.Throw it in the toilet bowl.This sentence demonstrates the use of tazza for the toilet bowl.Tatoeba #13878100 by Nuel, translation #13878099 by Nuel
- Alza la tavoletta del water quando fai pipì.Lift the toilet seat when you pee.This sentence shows how to use water and the term tavoletta for the toilet seat.Tatoeba #11741702 by Nuel, translation #11741701 by Nuel
- Mi ha spinto la testa nella tazza del cesso.He pushed my head into the toilet bowl.This sentence uses tazza to refer to the toilet bowl.Tatoeba #13878105 by Nuel, translation #13878104 by Nuel
- Mi scusi, dov'è il bagno?Excuse me, where is the toilet?
- Dov'è il bagno?Where is the toilet?
- Scusa, dov'è il gabinetto?Sorry, where is the toilet?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are at a friend's house.
- MatteoGiulia, sai dove si trova il water?Giulia, do you know where the toilet is?
- GiuliaÈ in fondo al corridoio, Matteo.It is at the end of the hallway, Matteo.
- MatteoGrazie, il water è molto lontano?Thanks, is the toilet very far?
- GiuliaNo, è proprio lì vicino.No, it's right nearby.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “toilet” translations and entries water, tazza, vaso, cesso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tazza, water, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
