Signification
A basic survival phrase for navigating public spaces.
Contexte culturel
Public toilets often cost money (0.50€ - 1€). Always carry some coins. The sign 'WC' is universal. You will rarely see a sign saying 'Tualett'. It is polite to ask 'Kas ma saaksin tualetti kasutada?' when visiting someone's home. Estonians are very clean; expect public toilets in cities like Tallinn or Tartu to be well-maintained.
Look for the signs
In Estonia, 'M' stands for Mehed (Men) and 'N' stands for Naised (Women).
Paid toilets
Many public toilets in Tallinn Old Town require coins. Keep change handy!
Signification
A basic survival phrase for navigating public spaces.
Look for the signs
In Estonia, 'M' stands for Mehed (Men) and 'N' stands for Naised (Women).
Paid toilets
Many public toilets in Tallinn Old Town require coins. Keep change handy!
The 'Vabandust' shortcut
If 'Vabandage' is too long, 'Vabandust' is a perfectly acceptable alternative.
Privacy
Estonians don't usually talk while waiting in line for the toilet.
Teste-toi
Which is the most polite way to ask a stranger for the restroom?
Asking a librarian:
This includes the formal 'Vabandage' and the polite 'tualett'.
Fill in the missing verb.
Vabandage, kus ___ tualett?
The 3rd person singular of 'olema' is 'on'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vabandage, kus on tualett? B: ___
'See on seal' means 'It is over there'.
Match the phrase to the person you are talking to.
Phrase: 'Kuule, kus WC on?'
This is an informal way to ask.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Estonian Toilet Vocabulary
Formal
- • Tualettruum
- • Vabandage
Neutral
- • Tualett
- • WC
Informal
- • Peldik
- • Vabanda
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesAsking a librarian:
This includes the formal 'Vabandage' and the polite 'tualett'.
Vabandage, kus ___ tualett?
The 3rd person singular of 'olema' is 'on'.
A: Vabandage, kus on tualett? B: ___
'See on seal' means 'It is over there'.
Phrase: 'Kuule, kus WC on?'
This is an informal way to ask.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNo, 'WC' is very common, and 'tualettruum' is more formal.
Only with friends or children. Use 'Vabandage' for everyone else.
The 'Vabandage' already makes it polite, but you can add 'palun' at the end.
It is pronounced 'vee-tsee'.
Not at all, as long as you use 'Vabandage'.
Just wait quietly. You can ask 'Kas te olete järjekorras?' (Are you in line?).
Yes, usually for customers.
N is for Naised (Women), M is for Mehed (Men).
Yes, but small shops might not have public toilets.
It's not a swear word, but it's very informal. Avoid it in polite company.
Tualett on katki.
Kus on naiste tualett?
Expressions liées
Kus on WC?
synonymWhere is the WC?
Ma pean tualetti minema.
builds onI have to go to the toilet.
Kus saab käsi pesta?
similarWhere can I wash my hands?
Tualett on kinni.
contrastThe toilet is closed/occupied.
