How widespread is the use of the word 'retrete'

Question

I read an article recently about people who drop their phones down the toilet. I have a good vocabulary but had not come across that word before. I had seen inodoro which is clearly descriptive of a modern unit and wáter which is borrowed from WC [water closet]

Is retrete used throughout the Spanish speaking word?

Would you use it to ask in a private house to use the toilet?I have used 'los servicios' in bars in Spain and have also seen aseos. Is it used to ask in bars or would you sound odd?

I posted a link to the article with a question about phones but here it is again

article

Answer 1

Wherever I have been in Mexico, the word "excusado" is used. Even though originally it meant the little "outhouse" in the back.

In schools they call it "el baño." "Maaaestra, ¿puedo ir al baaaañooo?/"

In swankier places you'll hear them say "servicios"

I love to play with words and all my bilingual friends understand what I am talking about when I refer to the "Juan" (John--the men's room) and also the "Juanita."

I hadn't heard excusado before. I think it's quaint. I didn't hear it when I went to Mexico. I note Polenta used it too. - Mardle, Aug 2, 2017

My husband uses excusado. I don't - polenta1, Aug 2, 2017

Outback® restaurantes here have public restrooms labeled "Blokes" and "Sheilas". - DonBigoteDeLaLancha, Aug 2, 2017

Hi Polenta I meant you mentioned it in your post. - Mardle, Aug 3, 2017

Answer 2

Jmm. I don’t know. I know that “retrete” would be understood. I usually use “baño” for a private home. Years ago in Spain I made the mistake of using “baño” in a pool hall (Madrid or Segovia?). I was obviously a foreigner, and they made fun of me…in a jovial way. Basically, they said, “Bath? We don’t have a bath here. If you need a bath, you must go to the public bath. You do have a certain odor about you.” They were just “funnin’” with me. After we got to know each other, we taught each other the swear words. ?

jejeje, cachondo - 006595c6, Aug 1, 2017

Jeje. Prefiero "burlón". - DonBigoteDeLaLancha, Aug 1, 2017

They obviously liked you! - Mardle, Aug 2, 2017

Yes, I learned a lot, including that Pepito is one cool dude. :) - DonBigoteDeLaLancha, Aug 2, 2017

Answer 3

Nevertheless, because the local word for "toilet" varies significantly from one country to another, "retrete" is a good "standard" word that should be understood just about everywhere, even if it sounds funny to the locals.

As I said in my post I had only heard servicios, aseos, inordono and water. - Mardle, Aug 2, 2017

Inodoro - 00fac92a, Aug 2, 2017

Thanks I typed it correctly in my original post. - Mardle, Aug 2, 2017

Answer 4

Retrete sounds funny for me Prefiero usar el baño.

Americans always say bathroom or rest room. - Mardle, Aug 2, 2017

Then there are "comfort stations". :) - DonBigoteDeLaLancha, Aug 2, 2017

Answer 5

In a house I would ask

¿Puedo ir al baño?
¿Podría ir al baño?
¿Podría pasar al baño? etc.

In a public place like a bar etc I would ask?
Perdón, dónde está el baño de damas?
Perdón, dónde está el baño de caballeros?etc.

When you want to buy a set of sink, bathtub and toilet, the toilet is usually called either "water "(yes, in English) or inodoro.
When at any other situation you could call a "toilet" "water", inodoro , excusado or also retrete.

At home my hustband calls it mostly excusado and I call it "water" and then we can say:

Tengo que limpiar el excusado. Tengo que limpiar el water

When we were at school and we wanted to go to the bathroom during class hours we asked the teacher: Señoríta, puedo ir a la licencia?
Nowhere else have I heard "licencia" with this meaning.

I forgot something. We also use "bidet" in the bathroom. I was told the bidet doesn't exist in English-speaking countries. - polenta1, Aug 1, 2017

You are right. Very unusual here. I remember people making fun on a house because it had one. I have installed a couple of "bidematic" in mine. - 00fac92a, Aug 1, 2017

My sister has a bidet. Houses in the UK are small but bigger houses have bidets. It used to be thought they were just for the French and English people used them as footbaths! - Mardle, Aug 1, 2017

They are mostly used for "private" baths and maybe also footbaths. What I mean is that if you but a bathroom set, the bidet is included. - polenta1, Aug 1, 2017

My introduction to bidet was in a Spanish hotel. I was 15. I thought you did 1 in one and 2 in the other. Mi mother explained the diffence. - DonBigoteDeLaLancha, Aug 1, 2017

The Japanese digitized the toilet. Instead of flushing the toilet, you have to push the button to refresh the urinal or it flushes automatically. - NKM1974, Aug 1, 2017

Believe it or not, some people in the U.S. do have bidets. They're all over the place, now. :) - rac1, Aug 2, 2017

Much better rac. - polenta1, Aug 2, 2017

Not where I live. There's only one house in the entire town with one. :) - 00fac92a, Aug 2, 2017