My wife and I are browsing real estate and are confused over the difference between “full bath”, “half bath”, and “powder room”- it seems inconsistent. Do you know?
– Lou Sid
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Dear Loo,
In most languages a bathroom refers to a room with a bath – like cuarto de baño, salle de bains, and the example you’re most familiar with: ??. But in America bathroom = toilet and many things qualify.
Sample conversation from the 2005 Lollapalooza Festival:
“Dude – bathroom?”
“Dude.”
In real estate parlance, a half bath refers to a room containing a basin and a toilet but no bathing facility – such as a bathtub or shower. Similarly a powder room contains only a basin and toilet but implies a lavatory for guests. A ¾ bath is one that contains a basin, a toilet, and a shower (but no tub), whereas a full bath refers to this: