French · Home, Clothes & Daily Life

"Bathroom" in French: salle de bain

la salle de bain

Say it: sal duh behfeminine · la salle de bainnoun/sal də bɛ̃/

Bathroom in French is la salle de bain, feminine. It usually means the room with a bath or shower. Toilets may be separate: les toilettes or les WC.

Flat tour

La salle de bain est au fond du couloir.
The bathroom is at the end of the hall.
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How to pronounce salle de bain

Say it

sal duh beh

/sal də bɛ̃/

Sal duh beh. Salle like sal. Bain like beh with a nasal. Soft French r absent; keep the phrase linked: sal-duh-beh.

"Bathroom" in French: quick reference

FrenchEnglish
la salle de bainbathroom

Bath/shower room.

les toilettes / les WCthe toilet / restroom

Often a separate small room.

la salle d'eaushower room

Shower without a full bathtub.

où sont les toilettes ?where is the bathroom?

Polite public question.

How to use salle de bain in real life

  1. 1Flat tour

    La salle de bain est au fond du couloir.

    The bathroom is at the end of the hall.

    Home description.

  2. 2At a friend's flat

    est la salle de bain ?

    Where is the bathroom?

    At home, salle de bain is the natural ask.

  3. 3Estate ad

    Appartement avec salle de bain rénovée.

    Flat with renovated bathroom.

    Common listing phrase.

Mistakes English speakers make with salle de bain

Incorrect: Où est la bathroom ?

Correct: Où sont les toilettes ? / Où est la salle de bain ?

Use toilettes in public; salle de bain for the home bath room.

Incorrect: Le salle de bain est petite.

Correct: La salle de bain est petite.

Salle is feminine, so the whole phrase is feminine.

Good to know

Many French homes separate WC from the salle de bain. In restaurants, asking for les toilettes is normal; salle de bain would sound like you want a shower.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

First look around a rented flat

  1. ChatPal

    La salle de bain a une douche et une baignoire.

    The bathroom has a shower and a bathtub.

  2. You

    Super. La salle de bain est assez grande.

    Great. The bathroom is quite big.

  3. ChatPal

    Les WC sont séparés, à côté.

    The toilet is separate, next door.

  4. You

    Parfait. J'aime cette salle de bain claire.

    Perfect. I like this bright bathroom.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

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"Bathroom" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Bathroom" in French

Salle de bain or toilettes?

Salle de bain is the bathing room. Toilettes/WC are for the toilet, often separate.

How do I ask in a restaurant?

Où sont les toilettes, s'il vous plaît ?

Is salle de bain feminine?

Yes, because salle is feminine.

What is une salle d'eau?

A shower room, usually without a bathtub.

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