Can I borrow the toilet?

Jun 26, 2015 09:29
When we want to use a bathroom, we often say "トイレを借りてもいいですか？（Can I borrow the toilet?）"

However, the verb "borrow" implies physically borrowing something from someone and that you must give back to it later, so it sounds strange.

I learned that we should to say something like the followings.

・Can I use the bathroom?
・May I use the restroom/washroom?
・I have to go the toilet.
・I’d like to wash my hands.
・I’m just going to use the loo.
・May I inspect the geography of the building?

By the way, most restaurants and shops in Japan have a bathroom, and we can go there without asking.
No. 1　sunshine
  • When we want to use a bathroom, we often say "トイレを借りてもいいですか？
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • （Can I borrow the toilet?）"
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • However, the verb "borrow" implies physically borrowing something from someone and that you must give back to it later, so it sounds strange.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • ・Can I use the bathroom?
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • ・May I use the restroom/washroom?
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • ・I have to go the toilet.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • ・I’d like to wash my hands.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • ・I’m just going to use the loo.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • ・May I inspect the geography of the building?
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • By the way, most restaurants and shops in Japan have a bathroom, and we can go there without asking.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
Toru
Thank you so much for checking my post! :)
No. 2　Oceansea
  • ・I have to go the toilet.
  • ・I have to go to the toilet.

    Or, "I have to go use the toilet."

  • ・May I inspect the geography of the building?
  • ・May I inspect the geography of the building?

    What!? This is so funny! I have never heard anyone say this before. This is the BEST way to ask to go to the bathroom ever, lol, hahaha.

    People might not know what you mean though. But if you say, "I have to inspect the geography of the building," it sounds like a good way to make an excuse to leave, while subtly making a joke that lets people know that you don't want them to know where you are going.

Toru
Thank you very much for correcting my post and letting me know more natural expression! :D
I also like the last phrase, haha.

On a website, this phrase was introduced as conversations of Englishmen, like following:
Man : May I inspect the geography of the building?
Waiter : Certainly. It’s down the hall on your right.
No. 3　RobertC
  • When we want to use a bathroom, we often say "トイレを借りてもいいですか？
  • When we want to use the bathroom, we often say "トイレを借りてもいいですか？

    The saying is: to use the bathroom.

  • However, the verb "borrow" implies physically borrowing something from someone and that you must give back to it later, so it sounds strange.
  • However, the verb "borrow" implies physically borrowing something from someone and that you must give it back to it later, so it sounds strange.

    "to give something back later"

  • I learned that we should to say something like the followings.
  • I learned that we should to say something like the following:

    Modal verbs like "should" don't take the infinitive, so just should + verb (without "to")

  • ・I have to go the toilet.
  • ・I have to go to the toilet.
  • ・I’d like to wash my hands.
  • ・I’d like to wash my hands.
  • ・I’m just going to use the loo.
  • ・I’m just going to use the loo.

    Know that this is informal.

  • ・May I inspect the geography of the building?
  • ・May I inspect the geography of the building?

    Wait what? Who taught you this again? People are going to be very confused if you say that.

  • By the way, most restaurants and shops in Japan have a bathroom, and we can go there without asking.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
Toru
  • ・May I inspect the geography of the building?

    Wait what? Who taught you this again? People are going to be very confused if you say that.

Thank you very much for correcting my post! :)
I learned this phrase from a website.
According to the website, in the UK, Englishmen who attending high society parties don't say directly something like "May I use the bathroom?" Instead, they often seems to use circumlocutory expressions.
I think it is a kind of joke.
No. 4　ラッテ・エクレア
  • However, the verb "borrow" implies physically borrowing something from someone and that you must give back to it later, so it sounds strange.
  • However, the verb "borrow" implies physically borrowing something from someone and that you must give it back to it later, so it sounds strange.
  • I learned that we should to say something like the followings.
  • I learned that we should to say something like the followings.
  • ・Can I use the bathroom?
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • ・May I use the restroom/washroom?
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • ・I have to go the toilet.
  • ・I have to go to the toilet.

    Add the preposition 'to' to indicate your target destination.

  • ・May I inspect the geography of the building?
  • ・May I inspect the geography of the building?

    Some people might not understand you if you say this though.

  • By the way, most restaurants and shops in Japan have a bathroom, and we can go there without asking.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
Toru
Thank you so much for correcting my post! :D
BACK　TOP