tengo que hacer pis
/tenɡo ke aθeɾ pis/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "I gotta pee" is expressed as tengo que hacer pis.
tengo que hacer pis is an informal way to state that you need to urinate.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tengo que (I have to) and hacer pis (to do pee/to pee).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
tengo que hacer pis is informal. If you want to be more formal or clinical, you can use tengo que orinar (I have to urinate) or Necesito usar el baño (I need to use the bathroom) for a polite approach in formal situations.
Is it said differently in some regions?
tengo que hacer pis is commonly used in Spain and certain South American countries like Argentina and Uruguay. In Mexico and certain parts of Central America, the colloquial phrase Tengo ganas de hacer pipí is more common.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo ke aθeɾ pis/
Did you know?
- The word pis is believed to be onomatopoeic, meaning it was created to mimic the actual sound of the action it describes.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying tengo que hacer pis is often viewed as 'child-speak', making it common for adults to use when speaking to kids or pets.
- The word hacer comes from the Latin 'facere', which is the same root found in English words like 'factory' and 'facility'.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, tengo que ir al baño. ¿Dónde está?Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom. Where is it?
- ¡Ay, tengo que ir al baño rápido! ¿Dónde está el baño?Oh no, I gotta go to the bathroom quickly! Where is it?
- ¡Ay, tengo ganas de hacer pipí! ¿Dónde está el baño?Oh no, I need to pee! Where is the bathroom?
- ¡Disculpa, tengo que hacer pis! ¿Dónde puedo encontrar el baño?Sorry, I have to pee! Where can I find the bathroom?
- Tengo que hacer pis ahora mismo.I gotta pee right now.
- Espera, tengo que hacer pis.Wait, I gotta pee.
- Creo que tengo que hacer pis.I think I gotta pee.
Example conversation
Javier and María are driving in a car.
- JavierMaría, para el coche, tengo que hacer pis.María, stop the car, I gotta pee.
- MaríaEstá bien, buscaremos una gasolinera.Okay, we will look for a gas station.
- JavierGracias, es urgente.Thanks, it is urgent.
- MaríaNo te preocupes, Javier.Don't worry, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hacer, pis, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
