to go to the washroom
– B1-B2 (intermediate) –
Practice Your Listening Comprehension
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In each variety of English (British, American, Australian, etc.), there is a different way to refer to the room where a person poops and pees. In the USA, the words “bathroom” and “restroom” are typically used. In the UK, the words “toilet” and “loo” are often used. In Canada, a different set of words is used.
DEFINITION
In Canadian English, the word for this room is “washroom.” “Washroom” typically means:
a public bathroom (e.g. at an airport, restaurant, office building, school, etc.)
a bathroom in someone else’s home (you are a guest in this home, you do not live here)
to refer to this room in your own home, the word “bathroom” is generally used, though some Canadians might still use “washroom”
This means that the expression “to go to the washroom” is commonly used in Canada to say that someone is going to poop or pee.
It is important to note that the expressions “to go poop,” “to go pee,” and “to go to the toilet” are typically considered impolite in Canada. The word, “toilet,” in Canadian English does not mean “washroom” like it does in British English; a toilet is not considered a room in Canada. “Toilet” in Canadian English refers to the object that a person poops and pees into. Therefore, saying “I am going to the toilet,” just like “I am going to poop/pee,” is generally perceived as unnecessarily descriptive and, therefore, inappropriate.
A Toilet, According to Canadian English. Photo courtesy of Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash.
EXAMPLES
“His sister-in-law does not like going to the washroom when she is shopping at a mall. They are often dirty in Canada, so she tries to wait until she gets home. There, going to the bathroom is more pleasant because she always keeps the room clean.”
“Thanks for inviting us to your home for dinner. It was delicious!”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Would you like some dessert? We have chocolate cake and ice cream.”
“Oh, that would be great! Thank you! But first, I should probably go to the washroom. Where is it?”
“It’s just down the hall and to the left. The door’s open, so you can’t miss it.”
“Thanks. I’ll be right back.”
What are washrooms like where you live? Are they generally clean or are they dirty? Practice using today’s vocabulary terms by answering these questions in the comments section below.
