Missä on vessa?
/ˈmisːæ ˈon ˈʋesːɑ/word by word
The English phrase "where is the bathroom?" is translated into Finnish as Missä on vessa?
This phrase is used to ask for the location of a toilet. If you wish to be polite or get someone's attention first, you can add Anteeksi to the beginning of the sentence to mean "Excuse me".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Missä (where), on (is) and vessa (toilet/bathroom).
Which one should you use?
If you need to ask for multiple toilets, use the form Missä vessat ovat?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Missä on vessa? is considered an informal way to ask the question.
How does it change in a sentence?
When asking about multiple toilets, the noun changes to the plural vessat and the verb changes to ovat.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmisːæ ˈon ˈʋesːɑ/
Did you know?
- The word vessa is actually a phonetic spelling of the letters 'WC' as they are pronounced in Finnish.
- Finnish toilets often have two separate buttons for flushing, which are labeled pieni for a small flush and suuri for a large one.
- When asking for a bathroom in a restaurant, adding the word kylpyhuone (bathroom) might lead people to look for a room with a bathtub instead.
Examples in context
- Hei, osaatteko sanoa, missä on lähin vessa?Hi, can you tell me where the nearest restroom is?
- Anteeksi, missä on vessa?Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
- Saisinko kysyä, missä on vessa?May I ask, where is the bathroom?
Example conversation
At a restaurant, Matti is asking Anna for help.
- MattiAnteeksi Anna, missä on vessa?Excuse me Anna, where is the bathroom?
- AnnaSe on tuolla käytävän päässä.It is at the end of the hallway.
- MattiKiitos paljon!Thank you very much!
- AnnaOle hyvä.You're welcome.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (missä, on, vessa) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vessa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
