It’s what you look for in restaurants, airports, and awkward moments. In German, it’s die Toilette. This is your German word of the day, and it’s one of the most practical words you’ll use when traveling, dining out, or just living everyday life.

The noun Toilette means toilet, restroom, or bathroom (in the public sense), and it’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German. Whether you’re in a café or on a train, you’ll want to know this word.

It’s a feminine noun, so we say die Toilette (confused about gender in German? Our video lesson makes it all click).

Pronunciation

Toilette is pronounced [to-ah-LET-tuh].

• Toi like “toy,”

• lette like “LETT-uh” with soft ending

• Stress is on the second syllable: toi-LET-te

It sounds formal but familiar.

Example sentences:

Wo ist die Toilette, bitte?
Where is the restroom, please?

Die Toilette war leider besetzt.
Unfortunately, the toilet was occupied.

Nuance and usage tips

Toilette is the standard, polite term for a restroom in German. It’s appropriate in almost all situations—formal or casual.

Other common expressions:

• auf die Toilette gehen – to go to the bathroom

• Toilettengang – bathroom break

• Toilettenpapier – toilet paper

• öffentliche Toilette – public restroom

• Damentoilette / Herrentoilette – women’s / men’s restroom

You might also hear:

• Klo – very informal (like “loo”)

• WC – commonly written on signs

• stilles Örtchen – humorous euphemism (“little quiet place”)

How does this word come up in real conversations?

Constantly—especially in public spaces, travel, and with kids.

“Ich muss mal auf die Toilette.” – I need to go to the bathroom.
“Die Toilette ist da hinten rechts.” – The restroom is back to the right.
“Gibt es hier eine Toilette für Rollstuhlfahrer?” – Is there an accessible toilet here?

It’s one of the most necessary survival words when navigating new places.

Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)

Alex: Weißt du, wo die Toilette ist?
Nina: Ja – hinten links, neben dem Aufzug.
Alex: Danke, ich war schon am Verzweifeln.
Nina: Verstehe ich! Ich such sie auch immer ewig.

Alex: Do you know where the restroom is?
Nina: Yep—back to the left, next to the elevator.
Alex: Thanks, I was starting to panic.
Nina: I get it! I’m always searching forever too.

Grammatical case examples:

Nominative:
Die Toilette ist sauber.
The toilet is clean.

Accusative:
Ich suche die Toilette.
I’m looking for the restroom.

Dative:
Mit der Toilette stimmt etwas nicht.
Something’s wrong with the toilet.

Genitive:
Die Tür der Toilette klemmt.
The restroom door is stuck.

Feminine case pattern: die, die, der, der

Word variations and language tidbits

Common variations:

• Klo – slangy and casual

• WC – written form used in hotels, airports, cafés

• Toilettenschild – restroom sign

• Toilettengang – trip to the restroom

• Toilettenbenutzung – restroom use (common in notices)

Cultural note: In many public German restrooms, especially in train stations, you’ll be expected to pay a small fee—usually around 50 cents. Always keep coins handy!

📘 Duden entry
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