Whether you're traveling, staying with a host family, or just navigating daily life, knowing how to talk about the bathroom and personal care is essential. This vocabulary list covers the fundamental words you'll need, from asking where the bathroom is to identifying common toiletries you might need to buy at a store. You'll use these words every single day, making them a high-impact addition to your Spanish skills. This list is packed with easy-to-learn cognates—words that look and sound similar in English and Spanish. You'll quickly recognize words like 'el champú' (shampoo), 'el desodorante' (deodorant), and 'la pasta de dientes' (toothpaste). We'll also introduce some key reflexive verbs like 'lavarse' (to wash oneself) and 'cepillarse' (to brush oneself), which are fundamental for talking about daily routines in Spanish. As always, we focus on practical, high-frequency Latin American Spanish. For example, we use 'el inodoro' for 'toilet' and 'el lavamanos' for 'sink,' which are common across Latin America. While most words are universal, we'll point out important regional variations, such as the use of 'la regadera' for 'shower' in Mexico, so you're prepared no matter where your travels take you.
bathroom
¿Dónde está el baño, por favor? — Where is the bathroom, please?
toilet
El inodoro no funciona. — The toilet isn't working.
bathroom sink
Necesito lavarme las manos en el lavamanos. — I need to wash my hands in the sink.
shower
Tomo una ducha rápida por la mañana. En México también dicen 'regadera'. — I take a quick shower in the morning. In Mexico they also say 'regadera'.
bathtub
Found this useful? Save it for later.
El hotel tiene una tina grande. — The hotel has a big bathtub.
mirror
Me miro en el espejo todas las mañanas. — I look at myself in the mirror every morning.
toilet paper
No hay papel higiénico en el baño. — There is no toilet paper in the bathroom.
towel
¿Puedes pasarme una toalla limpia? — Can you pass me a clean towel?
soap
Uso jabón para lavarme la cara. — I use soap to wash my face.
shampoo
Necesito comprar más champú. — I need to buy more shampoo.
conditioner
Siempre uso champú y acondicionador. — I always use shampoo and conditioner.
toothpaste
Pon la pasta de dientes en el cepillo. — Put the toothpaste on the brush.
toothbrush
Mi cepillo de dientes es azul. — My toothbrush is blue.
deodorant
Siempre me pongo desodorante después de la ducha. — I always put on deodorant after the shower.
comb
Uso un peine para mi pelo corto. — I use a comb for my short hair.
brush (for hair)
Ella usa un cepillo para su pelo largo. — She uses a brush for her long hair.
cream / lotion
Me pongo crema en las manos porque están secas. — I put lotion on my hands because they are dry.
to wash oneself
Yo me lavo las manos antes de comer. — I wash my hands before eating.
to shower oneself
Me ducho todos los días. — I shower every day.
to bathe oneself
A los niños les gusta bañarse con juguetes. — Kids like to take a bath with toys.
to brush oneself (hair/teeth)
Me cepillo los dientes tres veces al día. — I brush my teeth three times a day.
to dry oneself
Me seco el pelo con una toalla. — I dry my hair with a towel.