01
die Toilette
restroom
The room where a toilet bowl is located; a WC. This is the most common everyday use of the word.
example
Entschuldigung, wo finde ich hier die Toilette?
Excuse me, where can I find the restroom here?
die Toilette
toilet / restroom
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Correct preposition
To describe going to the toilet, German uses the preposition 'auf' (on). Movement is expressed with the accusative ('auf die Toilette gehen' — to go to the toilet), and location/state with the dative ('auf der Toilette sein' — to be on the toilet/in the restroom).
EXAMPLE
Das Kind muss dringend auf die Toilette.
The child urgently needs to go to the toilet.
Room or fixture?
Whether the room or the toilet bowl is meant usually becomes clear from the verb. Questions like 'Wo ist die Toilette?' (Where is the restroom?) refer to the room, while sentences like 'Die Toilette ist verstopft' (The toilet is clogged) mean the fixture.
EXAMPLE
Können Sie mir bitte zeigen, wo die Damentoilette ist?
Could you please show me where the ladies' restroom is?
Typical questions
In everyday life, the most common use is asking about the location. You ask: 'Wo ist die Toilette?' (Where is the restroom?) or 'Könnte ich bitte Ihre Toilette benutzen?' (Could I please use your restroom?).
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigen Sie, gibt es hier in der Nähe eine öffentliche Toilette?
Excuse me, is there a public restroom nearby?
Elevated meaning
The expression 'seine/ihre Toilette machen' in the sense of 'to groom oneself and get dressed' is outdated. Today, you find it almost only in historical or literary language.
EXAMPLE
Die Gräfin verbrachte Stunden mit ihrer morgendlichen Toilette.
The countess spent hours on her morning toilette.
Compare with
Toilette vs Bad
bathroom / bath
'das Bad' and 'die Toilette' can both refer to rooms in an apartment or in a public place. The difference is: 'das Bad' is the room for personal hygiene, usually with a sink, shower or bathtub, and often also a toilet. 'die Toilette' usually means the room with the toilet, or the toilet bowl itself. Learners can easily confuse the words because in many apartments the toilet is in the bathroom. If you want to wash or shower, you are more likely to say 'Bad'. If you are looking for the toilet, 'Toilette' sounds more natural.
Toilette
Im Restaurant fragt Anna, wo die Toilette ist.
In the restaurant, Anna asks where the restroom is.
Bad
Nach dem Sport räumt Max schnell das Bad auf.
After exercising, Max quickly tidies up the bathroom.
In real life
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