What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tengo que (I have to), hacer (to do/make) and pipí (pee-pee).
Which one should you use?
While tengo que hacer pipí is casual and often used with children, tengo que orinar is the more clinical and formal way to express the same need. If you want to be slightly more polite without being clinical, you can use the phrase tengo que ir al baño (I have to go to the bathroom) instead of mentioning the act of urinating directly.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The use of pipí makes tengo que hacer pipí child-friendly or very casual, similar to saying "I need to go pee-pee" in English. For more formal or polite situations, you can use Disculpe, necesito ir al baño (Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom) or Perdón, necesito usar el baño (Sorry, I need to use the restroom).
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo ke aθeɾ pipi/
Did you know?
- The word pipí is an onomatopoeia, meaning it was created to mimic the actual sound of the act itself.
- In many Spanish speaking countries, the phrase hacer pipí is so closely associated with childhood that an adult using it can sound like they are speaking 'baby talk' rather than just being casual.
- The verb hacer in this phrase is a direct descendant of the Latin 'facere', which is also the linguistic ancestor of the English word 'factory'.
Examples in context
- Tengo que hacer pipí ahora.I need to go pee now.
- ¿Puedo ir? Tengo que hacer pipí.Can I go? I need to go pee.
- Espera un segundo, tengo que hacer pipí.Wait a second, I need to go pee.
Example conversation
Two friends are watching a movie at home.
- ElenaJavier, tengo que hacer pipí.Javier, I need to go pee.
- JavierEstá bien, Elena, ve rápido.It's okay, Elena, go quickly.
- ElenaNo tardaré mucho.I won't be long.
- JavierTe espero en el sofá.I'll wait for you on the sofa.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hacer, pipí, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
