In this workshop you will practice a short, polite exchange about finding the restroom. You will ask where it is, understand a reply that gives the floor and a nearby landmark, and respond with thanks. The recordings give you the exact lines to use, so you can speak along and then try the exchange with a partner or with the audio.
Asking the question
Start with the polite opening. «请问，洗手间在哪里？» means “Excuse me, where is the restroom?” The first part gets attention; the rest asks for the restroom. A shorter version is «洗手间在哪里？», which means “Where is the restroom?” You can also ask about the floor with «卫生间在几楼？», which means “Which floor is the restroom on?” Use the polite opening when you approach someone you do not know. Use the shorter question when the situation is already clear. Keep your voice calm and friendly, and look at the person before you speak.
Understanding the reply
A helpful reply may give both the floor and a nearby place. «洗手间在二楼。» means “The restroom is on the second floor.” It answers the question with a floor. A fuller reply is «在二楼，电梯旁边。», which means “On the second floor, next to the elevator.” Here the speaker gives the floor and a landmark: next to the elevator. Listen for the floor first, then for the landmark. If you hear a floor and a landmark, you have enough to find the restroom. You do not need to repeat the whole reply; a short thank-you is enough.
Closing the exchange politely
After you understand the reply, thank the person. «好的，谢谢！» means “Okay, thank you!” It shows you heard the answer and are ready to go. The other person may answer with «不客气。», which means “You're welcome.” This closes the exchange. In a real situation, you can say the thank-you line and then move toward the restroom. If you need to check the floor again, you can repeat «卫生间在几楼？», which means “Which floor is the restroom on?” Keep the exchange short and polite.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
洗手间在哪里？
Where is the restroom?
Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?
请问，洗手间在哪儿？
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
Qǐngwèn, xǐshǒujiān zài nǎr?
卫生间在几楼？
Which floor is the restroom on?
Wèishēngjiān zài jǐ lóu?
洗手间在二楼。
The restroom is on the second floor.
Xǐshǒujiān zài èr lóu.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
请问，洗手间在哪里？
Excuse me, where is the restroom?在二楼，电梯旁边。
On the second floor, next to the elevator.好的，谢谢！
Okay, thank you!不客气。
You're welcome.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: ask and reply
You are a visitor in a building. Your partner plays a staff member. Use the recorded lines to ask for the restroom and to give a reply.
Your task: First, as the visitor, say the polite question «请问，洗手间在哪里？». Your partner, as the staff member, replies with «在二楼，电梯旁边。». Then, as the visitor, say «好的，谢谢！». Your partner finishes with «不客气。». After one round, swap roles: your partner asks with «请问，洗手间在哪里？», you reply with «在二楼，电梯旁边。», your partner says «好的，谢谢！», and you say «不客气。».
Choose the matching reply
You hear someone ask «请问，洗手间在哪里？», which means “Excuse me, where is the restroom?” You need to choose the reply that gives both a floor and a nearby place.
Your task: Read the two possible replies. Choice A is «洗手间在二楼。», which means “The restroom is on the second floor.” Choice B is «在二楼，电梯旁边。», which means “On the second floor, next to the elevator.” Which reply gives both the floor and a landmark? Say your choice aloud, then say the full reply you chose.
Recall and role swap
Work with a partner. One person will be the visitor and the other will be the staff member. You will recall the lines from memory, then swap roles.
Your task: As the visitor, ask for the restroom using the polite question «请问，洗手间在哪里？». As the staff member, reply with «在二楼，电梯旁边。». As the visitor, thank the staff member with «好的，谢谢！». As the staff member, close with «不客气。». Then swap roles and repeat the same order: question, reply, thank-you, closing.
Common questions
Can I use the shorter question «洗手间在哪里？» instead of the polite question «请问，洗手间在哪里？»?
Yes. «洗手间在哪里？» means “Where is the restroom?” and «请问，洗手间在哪里？» means “Excuse me, where is the restroom?” The polite opening is useful when you approach someone you do not know. The shorter question is fine when the situation is already clear.
What should I listen for in the reply?
Listen for the floor first, then for a nearby place. «洗手间在二楼。» gives only the floor: “The restroom is on the second floor.” «在二楼，电梯旁边。» gives the floor and a landmark: “On the second floor, next to the elevator.” If you hear both, you have enough to find the restroom.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: ask for the restroomChecked September 2026
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