lavabo

washbasin

noun lah-BAH-boh Rare

Origin: Latin lavabo (I shall wash), first person future of lavare.

Also means

bathroom; toilet

Usage Note

Lavabo in Spain primarily means the washbasin or sink in a bathroom, but by extension it can refer to the room itself — asking ¿dónde está el lavabo? is the polite way to ask for the toilet/bathroom in Spain. Latin American Spanish prefers baño, sanitario, or servicio for the room. The word comes directly from the Latin liturgical phrase lavabo inter innocentes manus meas (I shall wash my hands among the innocent).

Examples

"Se lavó las manos en el lavabo."

Natural Translation

She washed her hands at the washbasin.

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