caca
/ka.ka/
caca is the French word for poop.
caca is a childish or informal word used to refer to feces.
Which one should you use?
While caca is a childish term, excréments is the formal, medical or scientific term for feces. In terms of intensity, caca is considered relatively harmless and is used in a nursery context, unlike the vulgar profanity merde.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
caca is an informal word that is primarily used by children or when speaking to children. For a formal way to express the act of defecating, one would use Déféquer.
How do you pronounce it?
/ka.ka/
Did you know?
- French children often use the phrase caca boudin as a rhyming, nonsensical taunt. The word boudin refers to a blood sausage, making the phrase a double-gross insult.
- French has a specific term caca bête used in some regions to describe someone who is foolish or clumsy. It uses the word for poop to imply a lack of intelligence.
- The word caca comes from the Latin verb cacāre, which means 'to defecate'.
Examples in context
- Il y a du caca sur le tapis.There is poop on the rug.
- Le chien a fait caca dans le jardin.The dog pooped in the garden.
- Fais attention, c'est du caca.Watch out, it is poop.
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are walking in the park.
- NathanOh non, regarde par terre !Oh no, look on the ground!
- ChloéC'est quoi ? Oh, c'est du caca.What is it? Oh, it's poop.
- NathanFais attention à tes chaussures, Chloé.Watch out for your shoes, Chloé.
- ChloéOuf, j'ai évité le caca de justesse !Phew, I just barely avoided the poop!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry caca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
