faire pipi
/fɛʁ pi.pi/
The English phrase "go pee" is translated into French as faire pipi.
faire pipi is an informal or childish way to express that one needs to urinate.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb faire (to do/make) and the noun pipi (pee).
Which one should you use?
While faire pipi is used in informal or childish contexts, the term uriner is the formal, medical way to say "to urinate". In polite social situations, it is more common to say aller aux toilettes (to go to the bathroom) rather than using faire pipi.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
faire pipi is characterized as informal or childish, similar to the English "to go pee" or "to go wee".
How do you pronounce it?
/fɛʁ pi.pi/
Did you know?
- French has a specific term pipi de chat, which literally means 'cat pee' and is used to describe a very small or insignificant amount of liquid.
- If you want to be even more polite than faire pipi without being medical, you can use the euphemism faire sa petite commission, which literally translates to 'doing one's little errand'.
- The word pipi is created by doubling the first syllable of pisser, which is the more vulgar French verb for 'to piss'.
Examples in context
- Je dois faire pipi.I need to go pee.This sentence is useful for saying you need to go pee.Tatoeba #8619840 by Micsmithel, translation #5105775 by Catriona
- Je sens que j'ai envie de faire pipi !I feel like I have to go pee!This sentence is useful for expressing the feeling of needing to go pee.Tatoeba #8438960 by marioo, translation #4894976 by slyfin
- Je voudrais aller aux toilettes, s'il vous plaît.I would like to go to the bathroom, please.
- Je dois aller faire pipi rapidement.I need to go pee quickly.
- Le petit garçon veut faire pipi.The little boy wants to go pee.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A parent and child are getting ready to leave the house.
- NathanOn y va, Manon !Let's go, Manon!
- ManonJe dois faire pipi d'abord.I have to go pee first.
- NathanDépêche-toi alors.Hurry up then.
- ManonC'est bon, j'ai fini !Okay, I'm finished!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry faire pipi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries faire, pipi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
