choo
/ˈtʃɔː/
The Swahili word for toilet is choo. Wiktionary also lists kibakuli cha choo.
Meaning: fixture used for urination and defecation (noun)
Ways to say it
| Swahili | IPA |
|---|---|
| choo | /ˈtʃɔː/ |
| kibakuli cha choo |
The term choo refers to the fixture used for urination and defecation. You can use it in various descriptive phrases, such as karatasi ya choo for toilet paper. To specify the type of toilet, you can use choo cha kusimama for a standing toilet like a urinal, choo cha kukaa for a sitting toilet like a water closet or choo cha kuchuchuma for a squat toilet.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of choo is vyoo.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtʃɔː/
Did you know?
- In many East African households, you will find a choo located outside the main house rather than inside, often in a separate small structure.
- In a very formal or respectful way to ask where a toilet is, one might avoid the word choo entirely to be polite, instead using more indirect phrasing to avoid the bluntness of the noun.
- If you are looking for a toilet in a formal setting, such as a high-end hotel, you might hear people use the English loanword 'toilet' pronounced with a Swahili accent instead of the local choo.
Examples in context
- Waungwana, nyanyua kiti cha choo! Mabibi pia hupenda kukaa pakavu.Gentlemen, lift the toilet seat! Ladies also like to sit dry.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of choo in a context involving a toilet seat.Tatoeba #10827407 by ecorralest101, translation #418717 by Dorenda
- Tafadhali nionyeshe vyoo vilivyopo hapaPlease show me the toilets available here.
- Nataka kuingia msalani kidogoI need to go to the toilet for a bit.
- Nitafanya nini kama sina choo?What should I do if I don't have a toilet?
- Kuna vyoo vingapi katika jengo hili?How many toilets are there in this building?
- Choo kiko wapi?Where is the toilet?
- Choo kiko upande wa kulia.The toilet is on the right side.
- Je, choo ni safi?Is the toilet clean?
Example conversation
Said and Neema are at a restaurant.
- SaidNeema, unajua choo kiko wapi?Neema, do you know where the toilet is?
- NeemaNdiyo, choo kiko nyuma ya mkahawa.Yes, the toilet is behind the restaurant.
- SaidAsante sana kwa msaada wako.Thank you very much for your help.
- NeemaKaribu, Said.You're welcome, Said.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “toilet” translations and entries choo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
