Inklingo

How to Say "toilet" in Spanish

English → Spanish

baño

nounA1general
Use 'baño' when referring to the entire room where the toilet is located, essentially meaning 'bathroom' or 'restroom'.

Examples

¿Dónde está el baño, por favor?

Where is the bathroom, please?

servicio

/ser-BEE-syo//seɾˈbi.sjo/

nounA1general
Use 'servicio' to refer generally to the restroom facility or the toilet fixture, often used in public places.
A simple, closed wooden door in a public hallway with a clear, stylized icon of a standing human figure, indicating a restroom.

Examples

Perdón, ¿dónde están los servicios?

Excuse me, where are the restrooms?

El servicio de damas está a la derecha.

The ladies' room is on the right.

Often Plural

When talking about the restroom, it's very common to use the plural form 'los servicios', even if you're just referring to one room. It's a bit like how English sometimes says 'the facilities'.

inodoro

/ee-no-DOH-roh//inoˈðoɾo/

nounA2general
Use 'inodoro' specifically to refer to the plumbing fixture, the toilet bowl and tank itself.
A clean, white ceramic toilet bowl with the lid open.

Examples

El inodoro del baño está roto.

The toilet in the bathroom is broken.

No tires papeles en el inodoro.

Don't throw paper in the toilet.

Using 'el' with Inodoro

Since it ends in 'o', it is a masculine word. Always use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Baño vs. Inodoro

Mistake: “Using 'inodoro' to refer to the whole room.”

Correction: Use 'el baño' for the room and 'el inodoro' for the actual object you sit on.

taza

TAH-sah/ˈta.sa/

nounB1general
Use 'taza' to refer specifically to the toilet bowl, especially when discussing cleaning or maintenance.
A clean, white ceramic toilet bowl with the seat lifted, illustrating the basin part of the fixture.

Examples

Hay que limpiar la taza del baño con desinfectante.

We have to clean the toilet bowl with disinfectant.

El fontanero tuvo que reemplazar la taza porque estaba rajada.

The plumber had to replace the toilet bowl because it was cracked.

Context is Key

When talking about the bathroom, 'taza' refers specifically to the bowl part. If you want to refer to the entire fixture, use 'inodoro' or 'váter' to be clearer.

Baño vs. Inodoro

The most common mistake is using 'inodoro' (the fixture) when you mean the entire room. Remember that 'baño' is the standard word for the room itself (bathroom/restroom), while 'inodoro' is just the physical toilet apparatus.

Related Translations

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