What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tengo (I have), que (that/to), hacer (to do/make) and pis (pee).
Which one should you use?
You can use tengo que orinar for a more formal or clinical tone. For a more colloquial expression meaning "I really need to go to the bathroom," you can say Me urge ir al baño.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
tengo que hacer pis is an informal expression, similar to the English word "pee" and is used among friends or family. For formal situations, use Disculpe, necesito usar el baño (Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom) or the clinical tengo que orinar (I have to urinate). The version Tengo que hacer pipí is also an informal way to say "to pee".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, people often use hacer pis to refer to urinating in an informal context. In Mexico, Tengo ganas de hacer pipí is used to mean "I feel like peeing".
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the subject of the sentence, replace tengo with the appropriate conjugation of the verb tener, such as tienes que hacer pis for "you have to pee".
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo ke aθeɾ pis/
Did you know?
- The word pis is considered onomatopoeic, meaning it was likely created to mimic the sound of the act itself.
- In many Spanish-speaking-speaking cultures, using the word pipí instead of pis is a common way for adults to sound more gentle or even slightly childish when speaking to others.
- The word que in this phrase descends from the Latin 'quid', which actually means 'what' rather than 'that'.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿puedo usar el baño?Excuse me, may I use the restroom?
- Espera un momento, tengo que hacer pipí.Hold on a sec, I need to pee.
- Tengo que hacer pis ahora mismo.I have to pee right now.
- Perdón, tengo que hacer pis.Excuse me, I have to pee.
- No puedo esperar, tengo que hacer pis.I can't wait, I have to pee.
Example conversation
María and Mateo are walking in a park.
- MaríaMateo, para un momento.Mateo, stop for a moment.
- Mateo¿Qué pasa, María?What's happening, María?
- MaríaEs que tengo que hacer pis.It's just that I have to pee.
- MateoEstá bien, hay un baño allí.Alright, there is a bathroom over there.
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.
