화장실
hwajangsil[ɸwa̠d͡ʑa̠ŋɕʰiɭ]
The English word "toilet" is translated into Korean as 화장실 (hwajangsil).
화장실 is the standard, polite way to refer to the restroom or bathroom in both public and private settings. It is the most common and neutral word for a toilet in Korean.
Meaning: fixture used for urination and defecation (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 화장실 literally means 'makeup room'.
Which one should you use?
While 화장실 refers to the entire room (the restroom), the word 변기 is used to refer specifically to the toilet fixture itself.
How do you pronounce it?
hwajangsil
Did you know?
- Many public 화장실 in Korea feature 'bidet' seats with electronic controls, which are far more common there than in North America or Europe.
- While 화장실 is the standard term, some older generations may use the word 뒷간, which literally means 'back room' and refers to traditional outdoor latrines.
- Public 화장실 in Korea often have a distinct 'emergency bell' system in the stalls to alert staff of a medical or safety issue.
Examples in context
- 이 화장실의 변기는 막혔어요.This restroom's toilet is clogged.This sentence is useful for describing a clogged toilet using 화장실.Tatoeba #6305029 by Queserasera, translation #6728429 by jej13b
- 화장실에 휴지가 없다.There's no toilet paper in the bathroom.This sentence is useful for noting the absence of paper in the 화장실.Tatoeba #13248461 by qiwiwi, translation #12462044 by ddnktr
- 화장실에 가도 괜찮을까요?May I go to the toilet?This sentence is useful for asking permission to use the 화장실.Tatoeba #13161941 by SN_H, translation #517394 by CK
- 화장실 어디에 있나요?Excuse me, where is the toilet?
- 화장실 문Restroom door
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Subin are at a cafe.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨, 화장실이 어디예요?Subin-ssi, hwajangsil-i eodi-ye-yo?Subin, where is the toilet?
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨, 저쪽 복도 끝에 있어요.Hyunwoo-ssi, jeojjok bokdo kkeut-e isseoyo.Hyunwoo, it is at the end of that hallway.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo가까운 화장실이 있어서 다행이네요.Gakkaun hwajangsil-i isseoseo dahaeng-ineyo.I'm glad there is a nearby toilet.
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 얼른 다녀오세요.Ne, eolleon danyeo-oseyo.Yes, go ahead and be quick.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 화장실, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
