איפה השירותים?
Eifo hasherutim?
The English phrase "where is the bathroom?" is translated into Hebrew as איפה השירותים? (Eifo hasherutim?)
איפה השירותים? is the standard and polite way to ask for a restroom in public places such as cafes or restaurants.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "Where the bathrooms?" because the Hebrew word for bathroom is a plural noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word for bathroom, השירותים, is a plural noun and is almost always used with the definite article ha- (the).
How do you pronounce it?
Eifo hasherutim?
What mistakes should you avoid?
Some individuals might use the term שרותים instead of שירותים.
Did you know?
- The word איפה may actually have roots in an ancient Egyptian term for a dry measure of volume. This links the word for 'where' to a specific unit of measurement used in antiquity.
- If you are in a private home, you might hear בית מקלחת for a bathroom, as השירותים refers more specifically to the toilet area.
- If you ask for השירותים, you are literally asking for 'the services', a term that can also refer to utility services like water or electricity.
Examples in context
- שלום, איפה השירותים?Hi, where are the restrooms?
- האם אתה יודע איפה השירותים?ha'im ata yode'a eifo ha'sherutim?Do you know where the bathroom is?
Example conversation
At a restaurant, a man asks a waitress for directions.
- דניאל Danielסליחה, איפה השירותים?slicha, eifo ha'sherutim?Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
- מאיה Mayaהם בסוף המסדרון.hem besof ha'masdoron.They are at the end of the hallway.
- דניאל Danielתודה רבה.toda raba.Thank you very much.
- מאיה Mayaבבקשה.bevakasha.You're welcome.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries איפה, CC BY-SA 4.0.
