Do you know the sign for toilet in Chinese? My Language Disasters looking for the toilet - funny toilet signs - why you need to learn languages

restroom
washroom

toilet, lavatory 

Now, the signs for man and woman

Toilet Disasters

In China I wanted to find the ladies toilet. It took some while to locate our guide at the right time and be shown the ladies toilet. Often the ladies is on one floor, the gents on another. So your boyfriend or husband is no help. 

Anyway, eventually I found the guide. I decided to write down the word for LADIES for use later in the day. The word was long and complicated and I was in a hurry to chase after the others. So I wrote down just the last three symbols.

Next time I wanted a toilet, I looked for a door with the symbol and charged in. Oh, no! Urinals - and a surprised man!

I found the guide and insisted she came back with me. I showed her the symbol I had written and asked her what it said. She answered, 'TOILET'. 

Useful Websites

http://www.chinese-word.com/section/animal.html

http://www.chinese-word.com/section/surname2.html

Duolingo.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilet_Revolution_in_China

https://www.china-mike.com/funny/18-bathroom-signs/

About the Author

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer.