Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| おしっこをする | o-shikko o suru |
| 小便をする | shōben o suru |
The verb forms are used to describe the act of urinating. Related nouns include おしっこ and 小便, which refer to the urine itself, as well as しーしー, which is baby talk for 'pee-pee'.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun おしっこ means 'pee' or 'urine'.
Which one should you use?
おしっこをする is the most common way to say 'to pee' in casual, everyday conversation. In contrast, 小便をする is more clinical or formal and is often used in medical or official contexts. Regarding the noun, while おしっこ is used by both children and adults in casual settings, しーしー is specifically baby talk used with very young children.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
おしっこをする is an informal expression used in casual settings. An even more informal variation used among friends and family is おしっこする. For formal or medical contexts, use 小便をする.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
o-shikko o suru
Did you know?
- The term 小便 contains the character for 'small' 小, which contrasts with the term for defecating, which uses the character for 'large' 大.
- When using the restroom in Japan, it is common to avoid saying おしっこ entirely and instead use the vague phrase お手洗いに行く meaning 'to go to the washroom'.
- The term しーしー is an example of onomatopoeia, mimicking the sound of a flowing stream or liquid. This phonetic imitation is common in Japanese baby talk to make bodily functions sound gentle.
Examples in context
- おしっこをすると痛みがありますか？Does it hurt when you pee?This sentence is useful for asking if there is pain when using the form おしっこをする.Tatoeba #9858931 by bunbuku, translation #9858955 by DJ_Saidez
- 赤ちゃんがおしっこをする。Akachan ga oshikko o suru.The baby pees.
Example conversation
A father and daughter are getting ready to leave the house.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵、もう行こうか。Himari, mou ikou ka.Himari, shall we go now?
- 陽葵 Himariちょっと待って。おしっこをするね。Chotto matte. Oshikko o suru ne.Wait a second. I'm going to pee.
- 蓮 Renわかった。急いでね。Wakatta. Isoide ne.Okay. Hurry up.
- 陽葵 Himariできたよ！行こう！Dekita yo! Ikou!I'm done! Let's go!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pee” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
