April 19, 2021 by Faustina Mulnik Spanish Vocabulary 0 comments

A Complete Vocabulary Guide to the Bathroom in Spanish

Talking about the bathroom in Spanish is an essential part of travel and everyday life in any Latin American country.

The bathroom is more than a place to “do your business.” From showering and shaving to putting on makeup and clothes, this room is used for a slew of purposes.

Read this blog post to learn the useful and practical Spanish bathroom vocabulary to address and discuss your hygienic needs.

Bathrooms in Latin American Countries

Bathrooms in Spanish-speaking countries look a little different from those in the United States. They have the same shower, toilet, and sink but usually don’t have a tub. Latin American bathrooms also tend to be more compact than their US counterparts.

The Many Ways to Say Bathroom in Spanish

Undoubtedly, the most common word for “bathroom” in Spanish is el baño. You can use this word in pretty much any Spanish-speaking country, and people will understand what you’re talking about.

Although el baño literally translates to “bath,” you also use it to refer to the bathroom, restroom, shower, etc. The technical term for bathroom is el cuarto de baño. However, most people don’t really use this formal phrase. El baño is much more common.

While you can say el baño wherever you go, why not get even more specific in your Spanish bathroom vocabulary?

There are also several other terms for bathroom in Spanish. El servicio is one such popular term that you will usually find in public toilets at a restaurant or airport. El servicio is a shortened version of the full name servicios higienicos (hygienic services).

If you’re looking for a public bathroom in a Spanish-speaking country, search for signs labeled SS. HH. You might even see a bathroom labeled as los aseos, but this term is less common.

If you want to talk about the toilet itself, you use the word el inodoro or less commonly, el váter. However, many other terms refer to the bathroom or the toilet. El retrete, el sanitario, el excusado, and el lavabo are less common terms but you might still see them.

El cagadero is a very informal and borderline impolite way to say bathroom in Spanish. It’s closest English equivalent would be “the john” or “the can.” So, be sure not to use this term in formal situations.

Looking for the Bathroom in Spanish

If you’re ever in a Latin American country, you’ll definitely need to know how to ask for the bathroom in Spanish. Make sure you learn and practice these common phrases; your bladder will thank you!

¿Dónde está el baño?
Where is the bathroom?

¿Puedo usar el baño?
Can I use the bathroom?

Bathroom Furniture in Spanish

Bathrooms are known for their essential functions. Showers, sinks, and toilets make the world a cleaner and more lovely place!

These hygienic tools are important for a clean world. Practice saying key bathroom words in Spanish with this vocabulary list.

La ducha — Shower
La bañera — Bathtub
El fregadero — Sink
El inodoro — Toilet
El grifo — Faucet
El espejo — Mirror

Example Sentences

Necesito limpiar el fregadero.
I need to clean the sink.

Nuestro cuarto de baño tiene ducha pero no bañera.
Our bathroom has a shower but no bathtub.

Bathroom Accessories in Spanish

Take a look at your own bathroom, and I’m sure you’ll find lots of accessories lying around! From your toothbrush to that new facial cleanser you just bought, your bathroom is full of useful objects. Make sure you know how to talk about these accessories for the bathroom in Spanish using this detailed vocabulary guide.

La pasta de dientes — Toothpaste
El cepillo de dientes — Toothbrush
El jabón — Soap
El secador de pelo — Hair dryer
El champú — Shampoo
El acondicionador — Conditioner
El cepillo — Brush
El papel higiénico — Toilet paper
La toalla — Towel
El agua jabonosa — Soapy water
La bolsa de basura — Trash bag
El cubo de basura — Trash can
El cesto de la ropa sucia — Laundry basket
La navaja de afeitar — Razor
La maquinilla de afeitar eléctrica — Electric razor
La crema de afeitar — Shaving cream
El enjuague bucal — Mouthwash
El cepillo de pelo — Hair brush
El peine — Comb
El limpiador facial — Facial cleanser
La balanza— Scale
El pañuelo de papel — Tissue
Los juguetes de baño — Bath toys
La alfombra de baño — Bath mat

Example Sentences

No podría vivir sin mi champú y acondicionador favorito.
I couldn’t live without my favorite shampoo and conditioner.

¡Este baño no tiene papel higiénico ni jabón!
This bathroom is out of toilet paper and soap!

Bathroom Verbs in Spanish

What do you do when you’re in the bathroom? You might shower in warm water, cover yourself in soap, or even look at your new haircut in the mirror. Learn how to talk about what you like to do in the bathroom in Spanish with these action verbs!

Tomar una ducha / Ducharse — To take a shower
Afeitarse — To shave
Maquillarse — To put on makeup
Cepillarse los dientes — To brush one’s teeth
Lavarse el pelo — To wash one’s hair
Mirarse en el espejo— To look at oneself in the mirror
Enjabonar —To soap up
Aclarar — To rinse
Hacer gárgaras— To gargle
Ponerse el desodorante — To put on deodorant
Secarse el pelo — To dry one’s hair

Example Sentences

Siempre me seco el pelo antes de peinarlo.
I always dry my hair before combing it.

No te olvides de aclarar después de enjabonarte.
Don’t forget to rinse after soaping up.

Bathroom Plumbing in Spanish

Nobody likes a clogged toilet, but unfortunately they are a part of normal life. Luckily, you can make sure to communicate all your plumbing needs in Spanish with this vocab list.

Resumidero, Drenaje — Drain
El desagüe — Waste pipe
El tapón — Plug
Tirar de la cadena — To pull the chain, to flush the toilet
Atascar el váter — To clog the toilet
Desatascar el váter — Plug
El tapón — To unclog the toilet

Example Sentence

¡Ay, caramba! He atascado el inodoro.
Oh my goodness! I’ve clogged the toilet.

Keep the Learning Going!

Talking about your bathroom in Spanish is a great way to improve your fluency. If you’d like to learn even more household vocabulary, our professional, Spanish-speaking teachers are online and ready to have a conversation with you! Sign up for a free trial class today to see just how fun and productive it is to talk to native Spanish speakers about your casa!

Ready to learn more Spanish vocabulary? Check these out!

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Faustina Mulnik

Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy

As a native English speaker, I’ve spent over 6 years perfecting my Spanish. My studies have led me to major in Spanish, translate documents at a local museum, and communicate with people I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to know. I’ve studied abroad in Spain, lived in Yellowstone National Park for a summer, and volunteered in Costa Rica. I’m a passionate travel enthusiast seeking to share my love for all things Latin America.

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