cacca
/ˈkak.ka/
The English phrase 'caca' translates to the Italian word cacca.
cacca is a childish word used to refer to feces.
Which one should you use?
While cacca is a less vulgar alternative used by children and adults in casual settings, there are other ways to refer to the same thing. You might encounter merda, which is a common and direct slang term or feci, which is a formal term commonly used in written Italian and professional settings.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈkak.ka/. The stress is on the first of two syllables.
Did you know?
- The word cacca is a reduplicated word, a linguistic pattern common in many languages for creating nursery words that are easy for infants to pronounce.
- The word cacca is inherited from Vulgar Latin *cacca, which may be related to the Ancient Greek word κάκκη for dung.
- Using the term cacca with an adult in a formal setting is considered highly improper, even though it is not as aggressive as the swear word merda.
Examples in context
- Guarda la tua cacchina! Sei proprio una pupa.Look at your little poop! You're such a sweetheart.
- Il cane ha fatto la cacca in giardino.The dog did a poop in the garden.
- Guarda, la cacca è proprio qui.Look, the poop is right here.
- Devo pulire la cacca del gatto.I have to clean up the cat poop.
Example conversation
Martina is helping Lorenzo, her toddler son, in the bathroom.
- MartinaLorenzo, devi fare la cacca?Lorenzo, do you need to go potty?
- LorenzoSì, mamma!Yes, mommy!
- MartinaAllora siediti presto.Then sit down quickly.
- LorenzoHo fatto la cacca!I did a poo!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cacca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cacca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
