defecar
/defeˈkaɾ/
To defecate in Spanish is defecar.
The verb defecar describes the act of expelling feces from one's bowels.
Meaning: expel feces from one's bowels (verb)
Which one should you use?
defecar is a formal and clinical term. In contrast, the phrase hacer caca is the common, informal way to say 'to poop' in everyday conversation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal or clinical settings, you can use defecar, hacer deposiciones or evacuar. In casual daily conversation, hacer caca is common, while ir al baño serves as an informal way to refer to the act. If you want to be explicit and informal, you can use cagar. For a childish tone, specifically in Mexico and Central America, one might use hacer popó.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The childish expression hacer popó is used in Mexico and Central America.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular preterite form of defecar is defecó (he/she defecated).
How do you pronounce it?
/defeˈkaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, the expression está cagado can paradoxically mean that something is very funny or 'hilarious' rather than referring to defecation.
- The verb defecar comes from the Latin dēfecāre, which originally meant to purify or cleanse by removing impurities.
- While cagar is an explicit term for defecating, it is used in common idioms like cagarla, which means to ruin a situation or 'screw up' completely.
Examples in context
- El paciente necesita ayuda para defecar.The patient needs assistance to defecate.
- Señora, ¿ha tenido dificultades para evacuar recientemente?Madam, have you had any difficulties with bowel movement recently?
- El animal comenzó a defecar en el bosque.The animal began to defecate in the forest.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are discussing their pet's health.
- AlejandroElena, el perro no puede defecar.Elena, the dog cannot defecate.
- ElenaEso suena mal, Alejandro.That sounds bad, Alejandro.
- AlejandroCreo que debemos ir al veterinario.I think we should go to the vet.
- ElenaTienes razón, vamos ahora mismo.You are right, let's go right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “defecate” translations and entries defecar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries defecar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
