What does it mean word for word?
Literally, j'ai envie de faire pipi translates to "I have the desire to do pee-pee".
Which one should you use?
While j'ai envie de faire pipi expresses the desire, you may also use J'ai besoin de faire pipi to say "I need to pee". If you want to say "I need to go to the bathroom", you can use J'ai besoin d'aller aux WC.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
j'ai envie de faire pipi is an informal expression often used by children or when speaking to children. For a polite and socially acceptable way to express the need to use the restroom in adult company, use Je dois aller aux toilettes. In a formal or clinical context, you can use je dois uriner to say "I must urinate".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb phrase faire pipi is an inseparable unit used to mean the act of urinating in an informal context.
Did you know?
- The word envie in j'ai envie de comes from the Latin 'invidia', which originally meant envy or resentment rather than desire.
- The word pipi is a playful reduplication of the much more vulgar 'pisser', a verb used to mean 'to piss'.
- In France, using the term WC in speech is common, but it is often pronounced as 'vay-say' rather than the English 'double-u-cee'.
Examples in context
- Maman, j'ai envie de faire pipi !Mom, I need to pee!
- Attends, j'ai envie de faire pipi.Wait, I need to pee.
Example conversation
A child and his mother are in the car.
- GabrielMaman, j'ai envie de faire pipi.Mom, I need to pee.
- EmmaOn arrive bientôt, Gabriel.We are arriving soon, Gabriel.
- GabrielMais j'ai vraiment envie de faire pipi !But I really need to pee!
- EmmaD'accord, on va s'arrêter à la prochaine station.Okay, we will stop at the next station.
