Definitions

(noun) restroom; toilet; lavatory

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The traditional character "廁" structurally incorporates the radical "广", which signifies a building or shelter, alongside the component "則" that primarily provides phonetic guidance, and its earliest usage referred to a secondary or secluded room such as an outbuilding. Over time, the term's application narrowed from denoting any auxiliary chamber to specifically indicating a privy or latrine, solidifying its modern meaning as a toilet. The simplified form "厕" replaces the top element with "厂", a component that can imply a covered space, while adapting the phonetic to "则".

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

所很干净。

Cèsuǒ hěn gānjìng.

The toilet is very clean.

我要去所。

Wǒ yào qù cèsuǒ.

I want to go to the toilet.

公共所在哪里?

Gōnggòng cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?

Where is the public toilet?

请保持所清洁。

Qǐng bǎochí cèsuǒ qīngjié.

Please keep the toilet clean.

学校所需要维修。

Xuéxiào cèsuǒ xūyào wéixiū.

The school toilet needs repair.

他在所里洗手。

Tā zài cèsuǒ lǐ xǐ shǒu.

He is washing his hands in the toilet.

这个商场所设施先进。

Zhège shāngchǎng cèsuǒ shèshī xiānjìn.

This mall's toilet facilities are advanced.

由于所堵塞,我们叫了维修工。

Yóuyú cèsuǒ dǔsè, wǒmen jiàole wéixiū gōng.

Because the toilet was clogged, we called a repairman.