Πού είναι η τουαλέτα;
Poú eínai i toualéta?
To ask "where is the toilet?" in Greek, say Πού είναι η τουαλέτα.
Πού είναι η τουαλέτα is a standard, direct way to ask for the location of a restroom in a restaurant, cafe or public building.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Πού (where), είναι (is) and η τουαλέτα (the toilet).
Which one should you use?
A longer formal version is Μπορείτε να μου πείτε πού είναι η τουαλέτα, παρακαλώ, meaning "Could you please tell me where the toilet is?" You may also see WC written on signs and asking for τα WC is a common alternative.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using τουαλέτα is common and direct. In very formal settings or with strangers, the longer polite question with παρακαλώ, meaning "please", sounds better.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced Poú eínai i toualéta?
Did you know?
- The word πού comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *kʷos, making it a distant linguistic cousin to the English word 'where'.
- If you use τα WC instead of η τουαλέτα, you change the grammar of the sentence because WC is treated as a plural noun in Greek.
- The word πού has remained virtually unchanged in meaning and function for over two thousand years, spanning from Ancient Greek to the modern day.
Examples in context
- Πού είναι η τουαλέτα;Where is the toilet?
- Μπορείτε να μου πείτε πού είναι η τουαλέτα, παρακαλώ;Could you please tell me where the toilet is?
Example conversation
A man is asking a woman for directions in a cafe.
- Κώστας KostasΣυγγνώμη, πού είναι η τουαλέτα;Sygnomi, pou einai i toualeta;Excuse me, where is the toilet?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕκεί δίπλα στην κουζίνα.Ekei dipla stin kouzina.Over there next to the kitchen.
- Κώστας KostasΕυχαριστώ πολύ.Efcharisto poli.Thank you very much.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΠαρακαλώ.Parakalo.You're welcome.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries είναι, η, πού, CC BY-SA 4.0.
