About
The character for "toilet", now written as "厕" in its simplified form, derives from the traditional character "廁", which combines the building radical "广" with the component "則", largely for its phonetic value. Initially, the term could refer to a side room or a space for washing, indicating its connection to private or hygienic areas within a dwelling. As architectural and social norms evolved, the meaning progressively focused on the room used for excretion, solidifying its modern sense. The structural change from "廁" to "厕" simplified the phonetic element from "則" to "则", preserving the character's basic composition as a building associated with a particular function. This semantic narrowing from a broader architectural term to a specific facility illustrates the character's adaptive history.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
厕所很干净。
我要去厕所。
公共厕所在哪里？
请保持厕所清洁。
学校厕所需要维修。
他在厕所里洗手。
这个商场厕所设施先进。
由于厕所堵塞，我们叫了维修工。