厕所 (cè suǒ) — toilet, restroom, lavatory

Definition

Straightforward word for 'toilet/restroom.' 卫生间 and 洗手间 are the more polite, modern alternatives you'll hear more often today.

noun

toiletrestroomlavatory

Measure word · 间, 处

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

厕 points to a toilet and 所 to a place, giving a place for toilets.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 廁; 厕 is its simplified writing.

广則廁

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

則

則zé廁cè

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 廁 is made from 广 and 則; 則 gives the sound, and 广 relates to the meaning. The simplified 厕 is a later shorthand.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

戶斤所

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

戶

戶hù所suǒ

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

所 pairs 斤, an axe, with 戶, which gives the sound hù; the old meaning was the sound of logging.

Appears in