Planning a trip to a French-speaking country? One of the most practical questions you might find yourself asking is, 'Où sont les toilettes?' (Where is the toilet?). But just like in English, French has a surprising number of ways to refer to this essential facility, ranging from the very polite to the highly informal. Knowing the right word to use can save you from an awkward moment! Whether you're in a fancy restaurant or at a friend's casual get-together, we've got you covered. Let's dive into nine different ways to say 'toilet' in French so you're prepared for any situation!

1. The standard and most common term – les toilettes

Les toilettes is the most common, standard, and universally understood word for “toilet” or “restroom” in French. If you only learn one term, this is the one you need. It's appropriate in virtually any situation, from a café to a formal event.

A crucial rule for English speakers to remember is that les toilettes is always a plural noun in French, even if you are referring to a single room with one toilet. This means it always takes a plural article (les, des) and a plural verb form (sont).

The most common and polite way to ask for the location of the restroom uses this plural form: Où sont les toilettes, s'il vous plaît ? which literally translates to “Where are the toilets, please?”

While les toilettes can refer to the room itself (the restroom) or the fixture (the toilet bowl), the context usually makes the meaning clear. For example, nettoyer les toilettes (to clean the toilet) refers to the fixture, while aller aux toilettes (to go to the restroom) refers to using the facility.

Be careful not to confuse les toilettes with its singular cousin, la toilette. The singular la toilette refers to the act of personal grooming or washing up (e.g., faire sa toilette means 'to wash up' or 'get ready'). The room is almost always referred to in the plural.

💡 * Excusez-moi, où sont les toilettes ? (Excuse me, where is the restroom?)

• Je dois aller aux toilettes. (I have to go to the toilet.)
• Les toilettes sont au fond du couloir à droite. (The restrooms are at the end of the hall on the right.)
• Il n'y a plus de papier toilette dans les toilettes. (There is no more toilet paper in the restroom.)

The very common abbreviation – les WC

One of the most essential and frequently used abbreviations in everyday French is les WC. This is the standard term for the toilet, restroom, or bathroom, used in both public spaces and private homes.

Interestingly, the term les WC is an abbreviation borrowed directly from English. It stands for “water-closet,” a term that has been fully integrated into the French language. This is a great example of how languages borrow and adapt vocabulary.

A crucial point to remember is that les WC is always used in the plural form, even if you are referring to a single toilet. You always say “les WC” (the toilets) and use plural prepositions like “aux WC” (to the toilets).

You will encounter signs for les WC everywhere in France, from cafés and restaurants to train stations and museums. It is a neutral, polite, and universally understood term, so it's the perfect word to use when you need to ask for the restroom.

The main synonym for les WC is les toilettes. Both terms are extremely common and are used interchangeably. You can confidently use either one, though les WC is often preferred on public signage.

💡 * Où sont les WC, s'il vous plaît ? (Where is the restroom, please?)

• Je dois aller aux WC. (I have to go to the toilet.)
• Les WC sont au fond du couloir à droite. (The restroom is at the end of the hall on the right.)
• Il n'y a plus de papier dans les WC. (There is no more paper in the toilet.)

The informal/slang term – les chiottes

When it comes to informal or slang language for 'the toilets' in French, the most common term you'll hear is les chiottes.

This is a very informal, slang term, roughly equivalent to calling the toilet 'the crapper' or 'the john' in English. It's crucial to use this word only with close friends or in very casual situations, as it can be considered vulgar.

Grammatically, les chiottes is always used in the plural form, much like its standard counterpart, les toilettes. You will never hear la chiotte in this context.

The word derives from the vulgar verb chier (to shit), which explains its strong, crude connotation. This origin is a clear indicator of its place in the language – firmly in the slang category and not for polite company.

The most common way you'll encounter it is in the phrase aller aux chiottes, meaning 'to go to the toilet/crapper'.

💡 * Excuse-moi, je dois aller aux chiottes. (Excuse me, I have to go to the john.)

• Les chiottes de ce bar sont vraiment sales. (The toilets in this bar are really dirty.)
• Attends, je reviens, je vais aux chiottes. (Wait, I'll be right back, I'm going to the crapper.)
• Il y a une file d'attente énorme pour les chiottes. (There's a huge line for the toilets.)

The polite and common euphemism – le petit coin

The polite and common euphemism – le petit coin

Literally translating to 'the little corner,' le petit coin is a widely used and polite euphemism in French for 'the toilet' or 'the restroom.' It's a softer, more discreet way to refer to the bathroom.

This expression is perfect for social situations, such as when you're a guest in someone's home. Asking 'Où est le petit coin ?' (Where is the little corner?) is often considered more delicate and common than asking directly for les toilettes.

While slightly informal, le petit coin is universally understood by all ages. It refers to the room itself, not just the fixture, and remains a go-to phrase in everyday French for its subtle and polite nature.

💡 * Excusez-moi, où est le petit coin, s'il vous plaît ? (Excuse me, where is the restroom, please?)

• Je dois juste passer au petit coin avant de partir. (I just need to use the little corner before leaving.)
• Le petit coin est au fond du couloir, à droite. (The restroom is at the end of the hall, on the right.)
• L'enfant a demandé à sa mère où était le petit coin. (The child asked his mother where the little corner was.)

The formal or old-fashioned term – les cabinets

For a more formal or somewhat old-fashioned way to say “toilet,” you might encounter les cabinets.

Les cabinets is a plural noun that translates literally to “the small rooms” but is understood to mean “the toilet” or “water closet.” It evokes a sense of privacy and formality.

This term is considered quite formal and dated. It’s not something you would typically hear in everyday, casual French conversation. Its use suggests a high level of politeness or an older context.

You are most likely to find les cabinets in older literature, historical films, or used by older generations. It might also appear on signage in very traditional or upscale establishments.

While it is useful to recognize this term, it is not necessary for active use in modern French. For all practical purposes, les toilettes is the standard and most appropriate word to use.

💡 * Excusez-moi, où sont les cabinets ? (Excuse me, where is the restroom?)

• Le personnage du roman se retira dans ses cabinets. (The character in the novel withdrew to his private toilet.)
• Je dois passer aux cabinets avant de partir. (I must use the restroom before leaving.)

The term for public facilities – les sanitaires

When looking for public facilities in France, the term you'll often encounter on signs is les sanitaires.

Literally translating to "the sanitary facilities," les sanitaires is a formal and general term for public restrooms, including toilets and sinks. It's always used in the plural form and is more encompassing than the more common les toilettes (the toilets).

You will typically see the word Sanitaires on signs in public spaces like train stations, shopping malls, museums, and restaurants. While in conversation you would most likely ask, "Où sont les toilettes ?" (Where are the toilets?), the official signage will often direct you to les sanitaires.

Think of les sanitaires as the equivalent of "restrooms" or "facilities" in English—a slightly more formal and official term. Using it shows a good command of French vocabulary, but using les toilettes in everyday speech is perfectly normal and more common.

💡 * Où sont les sanitaires, s'il vous plaît ? (Where are the restrooms, please?)

• Les sanitaires se trouvent au sous-sol. (The facilities are located in the basement.)
• La propreté des sanitaires dans cet aéroport est impeccable. (The cleanliness of the restrooms in this airport is impeccable.)
• Suivez le panneau pour les sanitaires hommes et femmes. (Follow the sign for the men's and women's facilities.)

The funny/slang term – le trône

The literal translation of le trône is 'the throne', as in the ceremonial chair for a king or queen. It is a masculine noun.

In informal French slang, le trône is a very common and humorous way to refer to the toilet. This is directly equivalent to the English slang expression 'the porcelain throne'.

You would use this term in a casual, familiar setting with friends or family for a comedic effect. It's a playful way to announce you need to use the restroom or to refer to the toilet itself.

💡 *Excusez-moi, je dois aller sur le trône. (Excuse me, I have to go to the throne/toilet.)
*Il passe des heures sur le trône à lire. (He spends hours on the toilet reading.)
*Qui a encore bouché le trône ? (Who clogged the toilet again?)

The term for basic or military toilets – les latrines

The term les latrines is the French word for “latrines.” It refers to very basic, often primitive, toilet facilities, especially those without modern plumbing.

You will most often encounter this word in specific contexts such as military settings, campsites, or descriptions of rustic or underdeveloped areas. It emphasizes the rudimentary nature of the facility.

Note that les latrines is a feminine plural noun (nom féminin pluriel) and is almost always used in its plural form. You would rarely, if ever, see la latrine.

Don't confuse les latrines with les toilettes, which is the general, everyday term for “toilets” or “restroom.” Using les latrines for a standard bathroom would be incorrect and sound quite strange.

💡 * Les soldats ont reçu l'ordre de nettoyer les latrines. (The soldiers were ordered to clean the latrines.)

• Dans le camp de réfugiés, il n'y avait que des latrines. (In the refugee camp, there were only latrines.)
• Pour le camping, nous avons construit des latrines sèches. (For camping, we built dry latrines.)

The very formal/administrative term – les lieux d'aisance

The term les lieux d'aisance is an extremely formal and somewhat outdated way to say 'toilet' or 'restroom' in French. Its literal translation is 'places of ease' (lieux meaning 'places' and aisance meaning 'ease' or 'comfort'). Think of it as the French equivalent of archaic English terms like 'privy' or 'water closet' in a very official context.

You will almost never hear les lieux d'aisance in spoken French. Its usage is confined to very specific, formal, or historical contexts. You might encounter it in old legal documents, on architectural blueprints for historic buildings, or in classical literature. Using it in a casual conversation would sound bizarre and overly stilted.

For everyday situations, you should always use the common terms les toilettes or les WC (pronounced vé-sé). Les lieux d'aisance is a term to recognize for its historical and administrative significance, not one to use when you need to ask where the bathroom is.

💡 * Les plans du château indiquent que les lieux d'aisance se trouvent au sous-sol. (The castle plans indicate that the restrooms are in the basement.)

• Le règlement de l'immeuble exige l'entretien régulier des lieux d'aisance communs. (The building's regulations require regular maintenance of the common toilet facilities.)
• Dans ce vieux roman, le personnage cherchait les lieux d'aisance dans l'auberge. (In this old novel, the character was looking for the privy in the inn.)

Are there other ways to say 'toilet' in French?

Are there other ways to say “toilet” in French?

Our list features the most common and practical ways to say “toilet” in French. However, the French language is rich with regionalisms, old-fashioned terms, and of course, slang that you might encounter.

For a deeper dive, try an online search for “comment dire toilettes en ___” followed by a specific Francophone region like Quebec, Belgium, or Switzerland. You might be surprised by the local vocabulary!

Context is crucial when talking about the bathroom. Before using a new word, always check if it's polite, informal, or even vulgar. Using les chiottes in a fancy restaurant might get you some funny looks!

Pay attention when you watch French films, read books, or listen to native speakers. You'll start to notice which terms are used in which situations, giving you a more natural feel for the language.

If you want to explore more synonyms or related vocabulary, the WordReference entry for toilettes is a fantastic starting point. The user forums there often have detailed discussions about nuance and usage.

I hope this guide was helpful! While it might not be the most glamorous topic, knowing how to ask for the restroom is one of the most essential skills for any traveler. Now you're prepared for any situation. Bon voyage!