Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| pinkeln | /ˈpɪŋkəln/ |
| Pipi machen | /ˈpɪ.pi ˈmaxən/ (word by word) |
| pullern | /ˈpʊlɐn/ |
The terms provided are used to describe the act of urinating. While pinkeln is a standard colloquial term used by adults, other phrases change based on the age of the speaker or the level of politeness required.
Which one should you use?
The word pinkeln is the most common colloquial choice for adults. For a childish tone, use Pipi machen. The word pullern is also a way to express peeing. In much more formal or medical contexts, you might use Urinieren, Wasser lassen or Ausscheiden von Flüssigkeit.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Pinkeln is a common, colloquial term suitable for most everyday informal situations among adults. Pipi machen is a childish way to say it, used primarily by children or when speaking to them. Pissen is an informal term that can be considered vulgar in certain contexts. For formal or medical settings, Urinieren, Wasser lassen or Ausscheiden von Flüssigkeit are used to remain polite and accurate.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
German speakers often use the phrase pinkeln gehen (to go pee) rather than the verb alone when expressing the need to use the restroom. The related noun Pipi refers to the urine itself.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpɪŋkəln/
When do people say it?
When you need to express the need to use the bathroom quickly, you can use the phrase Mal kurz aufs Klo (Just gonna go to the toilet real quick).
Did you know?
- The word pinkeln shares a linguistic root with the word for 'pinky finger'.
- The term Wasser lassen is a polite euphemism that literally translates to 'to let water go'.
Examples in context
- Ich muss ganz dringend pinkeln.I'm bursting for a pee.This example shows how to express an urgent need to pee using pinkeln.Tatoeba #637788 by samueldora, translation #535029 by blay_paul
- Kann ich ins Bad gehen? Ich muss pinkeln.Can I go to the bathroom? I need to pee.This example demonstrates asking to use the bathroom due to the need to pee using pinkeln.Tatoeba #13653947 by Naina, translation #9795541 by DJ_Saidez
- Ich kann nicht pinkeln, wenn du mich anschaust.I can't pee when you're looking at me.This example shows a situation where someone cannot pee because they are being watched, using pinkeln.Tatoeba #11795364 by rowansky, translation #11741698 by Nuel
- Entschuldigung, wo ist hier die Toilette? Ich muss mal dringend pinkeln!Excuse me, where is the bathroom? I really need to pee!
- Könnten Sie mir bitte den Weg zur Toilette zeigen? Ich muss dringend urinieren.Could you please show me the way to the bathroom? I urgently need to urinate.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A long car ride on the highway.
- SarahFelix, kannst du kurz anhalten? Ich muss pinkeln.Felix, can you stop for a moment? I need to pee.
- FelixWir sind erst seit zehn Minuten unterwegs.We have only been on the road for ten minutes.
- SarahEs tut mir leid, aber ich muss wirklich pinkeln.I am sorry, but I really have to pee.
- FelixOkay, wir suchen uns eine Tankstelle.Okay, we will look for a gas station.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pee” translations and entries pinkeln, pullern, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (Pipi, machen) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Pipi, machen, pinkeln, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
