tengo que ir a cagar
/tenɡo ke iɾ a kaɡaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I have to go poop" is translated into Spanish as tengo que ir a cagar.
This phrase is a vulgar way to state that one needs to use the bathroom to defecate.
Which one should you use?
While tengo que ir a cagar is blunt and vulgar, the phrase tengo que ir al baño is the polite, standard way to say "I have to go to the bathroom".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The verb cagar is considered vulgar and is equivalent to the English "to shit" or a very blunt "to poop". For less vulgar, informal alternatives, you might use Tengo ganas de hacer caca to mean "I have the urge to poop".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, Me urge hacer popó is a common informal way to say you need to go poop urgently. In Spain, Tengo que hacer caca is a common way to say "I have to go poop".
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo ke iɾ a kaɡaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, using cagar can be used metaphorically to describe a situation where someone has 'messed up' or failed miserably at a task.
- The past tense of ir is fui, a word that originally meant 'I was' and comes from the Latin word for 'to be'.
- In some Spanish dialects, the imperative command for 'go' might be expressed as andá, derived from the verb andar meaning 'to walk'.
Examples in context
- Tengo que ir a cagar ahora mismo.I have to go poop right now.
- Perdón, tengo que ir a cagar.Sorry, I have to go poop.
- No puedo hablar, tengo que ir a cagar.I can't talk, I have to go poop.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are playing a video game at home.
- MateoMaría, tengo que ir a cagar.María, I have to go poop.
- María¡Qué asco, Mateo!How gross, Mateo!
- MateoEs una emergencia.It is an emergency.
- MaríaPues vete rápido.Well, go quickly.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, cagar, ir, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
