便所

Japanese

Etymology

(literally, convenience)

Noun

便所 (hiragana べんじょ, romaji benjo)

1. (dated) bathroom, restroom, lavatory

Usage notes

While previously (1970s) this term, or the honorific お便所 (おべんじょ, o-benjo) was the preferred polite term to refer to a bathroom, it has now been largely replaced with お手洗い (おてあらい, otearai, “washroom”) – or even トイレ (toire, “toilet”) – and sounds dated if used.

Synonyms

• トイレ (toire), おトイレ (o-toire)
• 手洗い (てあらい, tearai), お手洗い (おてあらい, otearai, “washroom”)
• 化粧室 (けしょうしつ, keshōshitsu, “lavatory”, literally “make-up room, powder room”) – used in public spaces, like shops or airplane, more as the written sign than in speech.

Derived terms

• お便所 (おべんじょ, o-benjo)