das Klo
toilet / loo
A colloquial word for the toilet or restroom.
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigung, ich muss mal schnell aufs Klo.
Excuse me, I need to quickly go to the toilet.
das Klo
toilet / loo
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Meanings
Usage tips
Register: colloquial
'Klo' (toilet/loo) is the most common word for a toilet in everyday speech. It is used among friends and family, but in very formal or business situations, 'Toilette' (toilet) or 'WC' (restroom/WC) are often more appropriate.
EXAMPLE
Wo ist hier denn das Klo, bitte?
Where's the toilet here, please?
Fixed expression
A very common and important phrase is 'aufs Klo gehen' (to go to the toilet) or 'aufs Klo müssen' (to need to go to the toilet). Note the preposition 'auf' with the accusative to express movement toward it.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder müssen vor der langen Autofahrt noch mal aufs Klo.
The children need to go to the toilet once more before the long car ride.
Origin of the word
'Klo' is a shortened form of the word 'Klosett' (closet/toilet). The word 'Klosett' itself was borrowed from English ('closet'), but today it is hardly used in German anymore.
EXAMPLE
Früher stand auf den Türen oft „Klosett“.
In the past, the doors often said 'Klosett'.
Compare with
Klo vs Toilette
toilet / restroom
Toilette and Klo can refer to the same room or restroom. The key difference is register: “Toilette” is neutral and also polite, while “Klo” sounds distinctly more colloquial. In formal situations, “Toilette” is therefore more appropriate; among friends, “Klo” is common.
Klo
Warte bitte kurz auf mich, ich muss noch aufs Klo.
Please wait for me a moment; I need to use the restroom.
Toilette
Entschuldigen Sie, können Sie mir sagen, wo die Toilette ist?
Excuse me, could you tell me where the restroom is?
In real life
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