tandas
/ˈtandas/
The English phrase toilet is translated into Malay as tandas. Wiktionary also lists mangkuk tandas and jamban.
Meaning: fixture used for urination and defecation (noun)
Ways to say it
| Malay | IPA |
|---|---|
| tandas | /ˈtandas/ |
| mangkuk tandas | /ˈmaŋkok ˈtandas/ (word by word) |
| jamban | /ˈd͡ʒamban/ |
| kamar air |
The term refers to a fixture used for urination and defecation. In most modern urban settings, tandas is the most common word used to ask for a restroom.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase mangkuk tandas literally means 'toilet bowl', where mangkuk means 'bowl'.
Which one should you use?
Tandas is the standard, neutral term for a toilet or restroom. Jamban is often used to imply a more basic or outdoor latrine, while kamar air translates to 'water room' and refers to a water closet or washroom.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Kamar air is a more formal or polite way to refer to a restroom. Jamban is a more colloquial or informal term. Tandas is the neutral standard.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtandas/
Did you know?
- The word mangkuk, used in mangkuk tandas to mean 'bowl', was borrowed from a Japanese term for female genitalia.
Examples in context
- Tandas di mana?Where is the toilet?This sentence shows how to ask for the location of the tandas.Tatoeba #8996187 by hrllscrt, translation #38937 by CK
- Mengembara dengan kereta api lebih murah, lebih mesra alam, kamu boleh berkenalan dengan ramai orang, kamu boleh pergi ke tandas tanpa mengganggu perjalanan kamu, kamu boleh menggeliat atau berdiri dan berjalan-jalan di sekitar, dan kamu juga boleh buat hal kamu sendiri.To travel by train is cheaper, more Eco-friendly, you can meet thousands of people, you can go to the toilet without interrupting your travel, you can stretch or stand up and walk around, you can also mind your own stuff.This sentence uses tandas in the context of traveling by train.Tatoeba #10176928 by Kazuki278, translation #8861923 by moxy
- Rosmah gemar mengumpul mangkuk jamban.Rosmah likes to collect toilet bowls.This sentence uses jamban to refer to toilet bowls.Tatoeba #2826718 by sestersparrow, translation #2826717 by sestersparrow
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ahmad and Nur are at a shopping mall.
- AhmadNur, di mana tandas?Nur, where is the toilet?
- NurAda tandas di sebelah sana.There is a toilet over there.
- AhmadTerima kasih, Nur.Thank you, Nur.
- NurSama-sama, Ahmad.You're welcome, Ahmad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “toilet” translations and entries tandas, jamban, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (mangkuk, tandas) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries air, jamban, kamar, mangkuk, tandas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
