How to say "toilet" in Japanese

• トイレJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounThe all-purpose word for the toilet or restroom — the room, and by extension the fixture. As the abbreviation of トイレット, this is the form you normally reach for when asking where it is.
  トイレの水みずが止とまりません。↗

  The toilet won't stop running.
• トイレットCommon
  nounThe full-length loanword for 'toilet'. Since トイレ is its abbreviation, the short form is the usual way to refer to the room, and トイレット standing alone is seldom the word you want.
• 便所べんじょJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe blunt, unsoftened word for a toilet or lavatory. In conversation it can sound coarse, so polite speakers prefer お手洗い or トイレ; it fits plain, utilitarian references to the facilities.
  生徒せいとはこの便所べんじょを使つかってはならない。↗

  Students must not use this toilet.
• お手洗いおてあらいJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounA polite, softened way to say restroom — literally 'hand-washing'. This is the natural choice in courteous conversation, such as asking for the toilet at someone's home or in a shop or restaurant.
  お手洗てあらいはどこですか。↗

  Where's the restroom?
• 衛生えいせいJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounSeldom the word you want for 'toilet': 衛生 really means hygiene or sanitation, and its toilet senses are marginal. For the room, say トイレ or お手洗い instead.

Choose 「トイレ」 as the everyday all-purpose word for the room, 「お手洗い」 when you want to sound polite, 便所 for a blunt or plain tone, and treat 「トイレット」 and 衛生 as seldom-wanted extras.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• トイレtoilet
• トイレットtoilet
• 便所べんじょtoilet
• お手洗いおてあらいtoilet
• 雪隠せっちんtoilet
• 後架こうかtoilet
• 化粧室けしょうしつtoilet
• 閑所かんじょtoilet
• 大便所だいべんじょtoilet (for defecating)
• 汲み取り式便所くみとりしきべんじょtoilet (from which night-soil may be collected)
• 厠かわやprivy
• ご不浄ごふじょうbathroom
• ＷＣダブリュー・シーwater closet
• 清拭せいしきbed bath
• 衛生えいせいtoilet
• 手洗いてあらいrestroom
• 不浄ふじょうbathroom
• 不浄場ふじょうばtoilet
• 手洗い場てあらいばtoilet
• 手水場ちょうずばtoilet