便所(べんじょ)

べんじょ
noun
toilet; lavatory; restroom
informalbuilding
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(べんじょ)はどこですか。
Where is the toilet?
公園(こうえん)の便所(べんじょ)が工事中(こうじちゅう)だ。
The park restroom is under construction.
古(ふる)い家(いえ)では便所(べんじょ)が母屋(おもや)から離(はな)れた場所(ばしょ)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(てあら)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(こうしゅう)便所(べんじょ), public toilet).

Common collocations

  • 公衆(こうしゅう)便所(べんじょ) — public toilet
  • 仮設(かせつ)便所(べんじょ) — temporary/portable toilet
  • 便所(べんじょ)掃除(そうじ) — toilet cleaning

Similar words

  • トイレ — toilet; the standard modern word, appropriate in most situations
  • お手洗(てあら)い — restroom; polite, commonly used when asking for directions
  • 化粧室(けしょうしつ) — powder room; the most refined/euphemistic option, used in upscale settings
  • 厠(かわや) — privy; archaic/literary word for toilet

Related Words

Compare: トイレ (toilet)
Compare: お手洗(てあら)い (restroom)
Compare: 化粧室(けしょうしつ) (powder room)
Compare: 公衆(こうしゅう)トイレ (public toilet)
general
Added 2026.3.26 10:21 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
19000/19472_benjo