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March 24, 2026
卫生间(衛生間)wèishēngjiān(wei4sheng1jian1)
卫生间 refers to a bathroom or toilet in a building. It is commonly used in both residential and commercial contexts, indicating a space equipped for personal hygiene activities. This term encompasses both the toilet itself and the surrounding facilities.
Frequency#5243DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the cleanliness of a 卫生间 is often associated with the overall hygiene of a household or establishment, reflecting societal values around health and sanitation. Many restaurants and public places in China also have signs indicating the cleanliness standards of their卫生间.
Memory Tip
Think of 卫 (wèi) as a 'guard' or 'protector' of cleanliness, and 生 (shēng) as 'life' or 'birth,' together suggesting a place where life is maintained through hygiene. The character 间 (jiān) means 'room' or 'space,' which can help you visualize the bathroom as a space dedicated to cleanliness.
Meanings of 卫生间
wèishēngjiān(wei4sheng1jian1)
1bathroom
2toilet
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 卫生间
卫生间Simplified
衛生間Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5243Frequency Rank
间Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 卫生间
Podcast: 卫生间
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AI Study Notes for 卫生间
Quick Contrast
洗手间 (xǐshǒujiān) - use 卫生间 when referring to a bathroom with broader facilities, while 洗手间 specifically emphasizes the handwashing area.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 卫 (wèi) as a 'guard' or 'protector' of cleanliness, and 生 (shēng) as 'life' or 'birth,' together suggesting a place where life is maintained through hygiene. The character 间 (jiān) means 'room' or 'space,' which can help you visualize the bathroom as a space dedicated to cleanliness.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context when using 卫生间; it is generally more polite than simply saying 厕所 (cèsuǒ), which is more informal. Common collocations include '找卫生间' (zhǎo wèishēngjiān - to look for the bathroom) and '卫生间的清洁' (wèishēngjiān de qīngjié - bathroom cleanliness).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 4 word, 卫生间 builds upon the foundational vocabulary of HSK 3, such as locations and basic nouns. Students should focus on recognizing this term in conversations about home or public facilities and practice its pronunciation and usage in context.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the cleanliness of a 卫生间 is often associated with the overall hygiene of a household or establishment, reflecting societal values around health and sanitation. Many restaurants and public places in China also have signs indicating the cleanliness standards of their卫生间.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 卫生间 with 厕所, using them interchangeably in all contexts. Remember that 卫生间 is more polite; use it in formal situations, while 厕所 is suitable for casual conversation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 卫生间
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Grammar Patterns of 卫生间
卫生间 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
____里装了两个抽水马桶、两个淋浴器、和两个洗脸盆。
The bathroom is furnished with 2 toilets, 2 showers, and 2 sinks.
There are 76 individually furnished bedrooms, all with private bathrooms.
3
西尔维娅去卫生间拿了一条毛巾。
xī ěr wéi yà qù wèi shēng jiān ná le yī tiáo máo jīn。
Sylvia fetched a towel from the bathroom.
4
他问是否可以用我的卫生间。
tā wèn shì fǒu kě yǐ yòng wǒ de wèi shēng jiān。
He asked whether he could use my bathroom.
Cultural Notes for 卫生间
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the cleanliness of a 卫生间 is often associated with the overall hygiene of a household or establishment, reflecting societal values around health and sanitation. Many restaurants and public places in China also have signs indicating the cleanliness standards of their卫生间.
Frequently Asked Questions about 卫生间
卫生间 is a more polite term for bathroom or toilet, while 厕所 is more informal and commonly used in casual conversations.
Yes, 卫生间 is appropriate for both formal and informal settings, making it a versatile term to use.
Yes, besides 卫生间 and 厕所, you might also hear 洗手间 (xǐshǒujiān), which specifically refers to a washroom.
