1.
toilet; lavatory; restroom
A somewhat old-fashioned or blunt word for a toilet or bathroom. Still used but considered less refined than modern alternatives like お手洗い or トイレ.
便所はどこですか。
Where is the toilet?
公園の便所が工事中だ。
The park restroom is under construction.
古い家では便所が母屋から離れた場所にあることもある。
In old houses, the toilet is sometimes located away from the main building.
A direct, somewhat dated word for toilet. While still understood by everyone, it sounds rough or old-fashioned in modern conversation. Older generations and rural speakers may still use it naturally. In polite or public settings, トイレ or お手洗い are strongly preferred.
USAGE:
The word appears frequently in older literature, historical texts, and signs at traditional or rural facilities. It can also appear in compound forms in official/technical contexts (公衆便所, public toilet).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 公衆便所 — public toilet
- 仮設便所 — temporary/portable toilet
- 便所掃除 — toilet cleaning
SIMILAR WORDS:
- トイレ — toilet; the standard modern word, appropriate in most situations
- お手洗い — restroom; polite, commonly used when asking for directions
- 化粧室 — powder room; the most refined/euphemistic option, used in upscale settings
- 厠 — privy; archaic/literary word for toilet