What does it mean word for word?
The word 화장실 literally means "makeup room" or "dressing room", but it is the standard word used for "toilet" or "restroom".
Which one should you use?
While 화장실이 어디예요? is the standard form, you may also encounter 화장실 어디에 있어요?, which literally means "Where is the restroom located?" In very casual speech, the subject marker can be omitted to say 화장실 어디예요?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 화장실이 어디예요? is polite and appropriate for asking strangers or staff in public places. For a more formal setting, you can use 화장실이 어디 있습니까? If you are speaking to someone you know well or someone younger, you can use the informal versions 화장실 어디야? or 화장실 어디에 있어?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Seoul, one might use the phrase 화장실 어디 있는지 아세요? to ask "Do you know where the toilet is?"
How does it change in a sentence?
In the form 화장실이 어디예요?, the particle 이 is the subject marker attached to 화장실 to indicate that the toilet is the subject of the question.
How do you pronounce it?
hwajangsil-i eodiyeyo?
Did you know?
- In South Korea, you will often find 'toilet' buttons on the wall of the 화장실 that play sounds of running water or music to mask noise for the user.
- The term 화장실 uses the same Hanja characters, 化粧室, as the Japanese word for 'powder room'.
- While 화장실 is the standard term, the word 변소 is an older term for 'toilet' that can sound jarringly blunt to modern speakers.
Examples in context
- 화장실이 어디예요?hwajangsil-i eodi-yeyo?Where is the toilet?
- 죄송한데, 화장실이 어디예요?joesonghande, hwajangsil-i eodi-yeyo?Excuse me, where is the toilet?
- 혹시 화장실이 어디예요?hoksi hwajangsil-i eodi-yeyo?By any chance, where is the toilet?
Example conversation
A woman is asking a man for directions in a cafe.
- 서연 Seo-yeon저기요, 화장실이 어디예요?jeogiyo, hwajangsil-i eodi-yeyo?Excuse me, where is the toilet?
- 지훈 Ji-hun저쪽 복도 끝에 있어요.jeojjok bokdo kkeute isseoyo.It is at the end of that hallway.
- 서연 Seo-yeon감사합니다.gamsahamnida.Thank you.
- 지훈 Ji-hun아니에요.anieyo.You're welcome.
