sanitário

Sanitário is a Portuguese term used as both adjective and noun with meanings related to sanitation and bathroom facilities. As an adjective, it denotes anything pertaining to sanitation, hygiene, or public health, as in normas sanitárias (sanitary standards) or instalações sanitárias (sanitary installations). As a noun, sanitário can refer to a room or facility equipped with sanitary fixtures such as a toilet, sink, and sometimes a shower. In Brazilian Portuguese, the word is commonly used to mean the restroom or toilet itself, for example “Onde fica o sanitário?” In Portugal and other Lusophone contexts, the term is understood similarly, though signage and formal usage often employ WC (water closet) or related terms.

Sanitário also names systems, devices, and fixtures associated with sanitation and plumbing. This includes toilets, washbasins, showers, bidets, ventilation, drainage, and associated materials, typically crafted from ceramic or porcelain. The concept covers both the installation of such facilities in homes, buildings, and public spaces, and the standards that govern cleanliness, accessibility, and water efficiency. Phrases such as saneamento básico (basic sanitation) and instalações sanitárias (sanitary facilities) are common in discussions of public health and building codes.

Regional variation plays a role in everyday speech. While sanitário is widely understood across Portuguese-speaking countries, some regions prefer alternative terms like banheiro, WC, or lavatório for specific contexts. The term remains prevalent in technical, architectural, and health-related discourse, where its precise sense is usually distinguished by context.

See also: sanitation, hygiene, plumbing.