What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of おしっこ (pee) and shitai (the desire to do something).
Which one should you use?
While おしっこ is a common term for pee, it is considered more colloquial or even childish compared to the more formal term nyō (urine).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using おしっこしたい is quite blunt and childish. To be more polite in social settings, you should use トイレに行きたいです (I want to go to the toilet). To politely interrupt a conversation to excuse yourself to use the restroom, you can say 「失礼ですが、トイレに行きたいのですが…」. For much more informal situations, you might use トイレに行きたい！ (I want to go to the restroom!), もう限界！トイレいかないと！ (I've reached my limit! I have to go to the restroom!) or ちょっとトイレ行ってくるね (I'll go to the restroom for a bit).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word shitai is the tai form of the verb suru (to do), which is used to express a desire to perform an action.
How do you pronounce it?
oshikko shitai
Did you know?
- The term おしっこ is believed by some linguists to be an onomatopoeia mimicking the sound of the stream hitting the ground.
- In Japan, it is common to use the phrase お手洗い 'hand-washing place' to refer to the toilet, as mentioning the act of urinating is often seen as too graphic for public conversation.
- When using the phrase トイレに行きたいのですが…, the ellipsis at the end is a common social tool. It leaves the sentence unfinished to politely signal that you are seeking permission or understanding without being demanding.
Examples in context
- トイレに行ってもいい？おしっこしたい。Can I go to the bathroom? I need to pee.This example shows how to ask permission to use the bathroom while expressing the need to pee using おしっこしたい.Tatoeba #9795539 by Sim5634, translation #9795541 by DJ_Saidez
- おしっこしたい。I need to pee.This example is a simple way to state the need to pee using おしっこしたい.Tatoeba #12427890 by DJ_Saidez, translation #3379282 by aengelberg
- 急に、おしっこしたい。kyuu ni, oshikko shitai.Suddenly, I need to pee.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are on a long car ride.
- 蓮 Ren美咲、ちょっと止まってもいい？おしっこしたい。Misaki, chotto tomattemo ii? Oshikko shitai.Misaki, can we stop for a bit? I need to pee.
- 美咲 Misaki本当に？次のパーキングまであと少しだよ。Hontou ni? Tsugi no paakingu made ato sukoshi da yo.Really? There is just a little way until the next parking area.
- 蓮 Renもう我慢できないよ。Mou gaman dekinai yo.I can't hold it anymore.
- 美咲 Misakiわかった、すぐ横のコンビニに寄ろう。Wakatta, sugu yoko no konbini ni oreyou.Okay, let's pull into the convenience store right next to us.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
