Πού είναι η τουαλέτα;
Pou einai i toualeta?
To ask "where is the bathroom?" in Greek, say Πού είναι η τουαλέτα.
Πού είναι η τουαλέτα is how you ask for the location of a toilet in a restaurant, cafe or any public place.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase translates literally as "Where is the toilet?" Greek uses the word for toilet here, not a word for a room with a bath.
Which one should you use?
In many Greek establishments, people also use the abbreviation WC and ask Πού είναι τα WC, meaning "Where are the WCs?"
How does it change in a sentence?
η is the feminine definite article. It is needed because τουαλέτα is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced Pou einai i toualeta?
Did you know?
- The word τουαλέτα is a loanword that entered the Greek language via French and English, rather than being derived from Ancient Greek.
- In very traditional or rural settings, Greeks might use the word λουτρό for a bathroom, though using this for a public toilet can be confusing as it specifically implies a place for bathing.
- The word πού used to ask 'where' descends from the Ancient Greek ποῦ and the even older Proto-Indo-European root *kʷos.
Examples in context
- Μπορείτε, παρακαλώ, να μου πείτε πού είναι η τουαλέτα;Excuse me, can you please tell me where the bathroom is?
- Μπορείς να μου πεις πού είναι η τουαλέτα;Can you tell me where the bathroom is?
- Συγγνώμη, πού είναι η τουαλέτα;Sygnómi, pou eínai i toualéta;Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
Example conversation
Eleni is at a cafe and asks Dimitris for help.
- Ελένη EleniΔημήτρη, πού είναι η τουαλέτα;Dimitrí, pou eínai i toualéta;Dimitris, where is the bathroom?
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕκεί, δίπλα στην πόρτα.Ekí, dípla stin pórta.There, next to the door.
- Ελένη EleniΕυχαριστώ πολύ.Efcharistó polý.Thank you very much.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΠαρακαλώ.Parakaló.You're welcome.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries είναι, η, πού, CC BY-SA 4.0.
