What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I have to throw myself a fart".
Which one should you use?
For a more polite or euphemistic way to express the same need, you can use tengo que echar un gas, which means "I have to release a gas".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
tengo que tirarme un pedo is informal and uses the word pedo, which is considered vulgar or blunt in many social settings. If you need to be more formal, you can use Deseo liberar un poco de gas (I need to release a bit of gas) or Necesito expulsar un poco de aire (I need to expel a bit of air). Additionally, Tengo ganas de tirarme un pedo is an informal way to say "I feel like letting out a fart."
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb tirarme is the reflexive form of tirar, which adds the sense of performing the action on oneself.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo ke tiɾaɾme un pedo/
Did you know?
- In Mexico, the word pedo is so versatile that ¿Qué pedo? is a common way to ask 'What is going on?' or 'What is the problem?'
- If you tell a friend in Mexico that you are pedo, you are not telling them you need to fart, but rather that you are extremely drunk.
- In many Spanish-speaking households, children might use the much softer term pum to describe a fart, mimicking the sound to avoid using the word pedo.
Examples in context
- Tengo que tirarme un pedo ahora mismo.I have to fart right now.
- Creo que tengo que tirarme un pedo.I think I have to fart.
- Me duele la barriga, tengo que tirarme un pedo.My stomach hurts, I have to fart.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are sitting in a quiet room.
- DanielLucía, espera, tengo que tirarme un pedo.Lucía, wait, I have to fart.
- Lucía¡Ay no! Sal de la habitación, Daniel.Oh no! Get out of the room, Daniel.
- DanielYa voy, solo dame un segundo.I'm going, just give me a second.
- LucíaDate prisa, por favor.Hurry up, please.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
