baños
/BAH-nyohs/
restrooms
The word 'baños' commonly refers to public restrooms or toilet facilities.
baños(noun)
restrooms
?Public facility
,toilets
?Public facility
bathrooms
?When referring to multiple private bathrooms or public facilities
,W.C.
?British English equivalent
📝 In Action
¿Me puede decir dónde están los baños?
A1Can you tell me where the restrooms are?
Hay una larga fila para los baños de mujeres.
A2There is a long line for the women's restrooms.
El restaurante tiene baños muy limpios.
A2The restaurant has very clean bathrooms.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural for Public Facilities
Even if you are referring to a single room or facility, it is standard and natural to use the plural form 'los baños' when asking for a public restroom.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Singular
Mistake: "Using 'el baño' when asking for a public restroom."
Correction: While 'el baño' means 'the bathroom' (in a house), use the plural 'los baños' for public facilities like in a restaurant or airport.
⭐ Usage Tips
Polite Inquiry
A very polite way to ask is '¿Disculpe, dónde se encuentran los baños?' (Excuse me, where are the restrooms located?).
In another context, 'baños' refers to thermal baths or hot springs used for therapeutic purposes.
baños(noun)
thermal baths
?A place with hot springs or therapeutic waters
,hot springs
?Natural geothermal pools
spas
?A wellness center focused on water treatments
📝 In Action
La región es famosa por sus antiguos baños romanos.
B2The region is famous for its ancient Roman baths.
Visitamos los baños termales para relajarnos y curarnos.
C1We visited the thermal springs to relax and heal.
💡 Grammar Points
Context is Key
When you hear 'baños' used in a historical or geographical context (especially with 'termales' or 'romanos'), it refers to a place for therapeutic bathing, not just a toilet.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: baños
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'baños' in its most common A1 meaning?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Spanish speakers use the plural 'baños' when they mean one toilet?
Using the plural 'los baños' (restrooms/toilets) for a public facility is simply the standard, polite convention in most of the Spanish-speaking world, similar to how English speakers might use 'restrooms' or 'ladies' room/men's room,' emphasizing the general facility rather than a single room.
Is 'cuarto de baño' the same as 'baños'?
'Cuarto de baño' (bathroom room) is usually reserved for the full room in a private home. 'Baños' (the plural form) is most often used when referring to public facilities.