baño fuera de servicio
/baɲo fweɾa de seɾbiθjo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'toilet out of order' is expressed in Spanish as baño fuera de servicio.
This phrase is the standard way to indicate on a sign that a restroom is non-functional and cannot be used. The component fuera de servicio (out of service) is versatile and can be used with many other nouns to show they are not working, such as ascensor fuera de servicio (elevator out of order).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase baño fuera de servicio literally translates to 'bathroom out of service'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you may hear El baño no está funcionando instead of El baño está fuera de servicio. In Argentina, the phrase El inodoro no funciona might be expressed as El inodoro no anda.
How do you pronounce it?
/baɲo fweɾa de seɾbiθjo/
Did you know?
- The word fuera is a distant relative of the English word 'door'. Both come from a root meaning 'outside' or 'opening'.
- In some regions, if a restroom is out of order, you might see the word averiado instead of fuera de servicio. This term implies a mechanical breakdown rather than just being unavailable.
Examples in context
- Nos disculpamos, pero el inodoro está rotoWe apologize, but the toilet is broken
- Disculpe, el baño está fuera de servicio. ¿Podría indicarme dónde puedo encontrar uno alternativo?Excuse me, the bathroom is out of order. Could you please inform me where I can find an alternative one?
- Perdón por el inconveniente, el inodoro no funciona. ¿Habría otro baño disponible?Sorry for the inconvenience, the toilet does not work. Is there another restroom available?
- Puse un cartel: baño fuera de servicio.I put up a sign: toilet out of order.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baño, de, fuera, servicio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
