Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| fazer xixi | /faˈze(ʁ) ʃiˈʃi/ (Brazil, word by word) | Brazil |
| urinar | /u.ɾiˈna(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /u.ɾiˈna(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
|
| mijar | /miˈʒa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /miˈʒa(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
|
| fazer chichi | /faˈze(ʁ) ʃiˈʃi/ (Brazil, word by word) | Portugal |
The phrase is used to describe the act of urinating. Depending on the context, you might use the noun xixi to mean the liquid itself or the verb urinar for technical or medical contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase fazer xixi is literally constructed from the verb fazer (to do/make) and the noun xixi (pee).
Which one should you use?
Fazer xixi is the common way to say 'to pee', while urinar is the formal, medical or technical term for 'to urinate'. The verb mijar is a vulgar or crude way to say 'to pee', similar to the English 'to piss'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a neutral or formal setting, use urinar or the phrase esvaziar a bexiga (to empty the bladder). For an informal or child-friendly way to say 'to pee', use fazer xixi. Avoid mijar in polite company as it is vulgar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, fazer xixi is the common informal expression. In Portugal, you will more often hear fazer chichi as the standard informal way to say 'to pee', though mijar is also used there. Related nouns for 'pee' include chichi, xixi and pipi, with pipi being used specifically by very young children or when speaking to toddlers.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/faˈze(ʁ) ʃiˈʃi/
Did you know?
- The term xixi is an onomatopoeic word, meaning it was created to mimic the actual sound of the act of urinating.
- While mijar is crude, it is closely related to the Spanish word mear and the Galician mexar through their shared Vulgar Latin root.
- Because mijar is considered vulgar, using it in a polite setting can be perceived as an intentional act of aggression or extreme rudeness.
Examples in context
- Eu preciso fazer xixi.I need to pee.This sentence is useful for expressing a physical need using fazer xixi.Tatoeba #5112106 by jumarinho, translation #3379282 by aengelberg
- Eu me sento pra mijar.I sit when I pee.This sentence shows how to use the vulgar verb mijar to describe a physical action.Tatoeba #6789416 by ToinhoAlam, translation #2502506 by Lumi
- Levante a tampa antes de mijar.Lift the seat before you pee.This sentence provides an instruction using the vulgar verb mijar.Tatoeba #6789433 by ToinhoAlam, translation #6602135 by Eccles17
- Desculpe-me, eu preciso urinarExcuse me, I need to pee
- Após beber bastante água, preciso esvaziar a bexigaAfter drinking a lot of water, I need to empty my bladder
- Vou ao banheiro fazer xixiI'm going to the bathroom to pee
- Aguenta aí, preciso mijarHold on, I need to pee
- O paciente precisa urinar antes do exameThe patient needs to pee before the exam
- O garotinho fez xixi nas calçasThe little boy peed his pants
- Segura a porta, estou apertado para mijarHold the door, I'm dying to pee
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Beatriz are on a long car trip.
- FelipeBeatriz, eu preciso parar para fazer xixi.Beatriz, I need to stop to pee.
- BeatrizTem um posto de gasolina logo ali.There is a gas station right there.
- FelipeÓtimo, eu não aguento mais.Great, I can't hold it anymore.
- BeatrizPode deixar, eu estaciono o carro.Don't worry, I'll park the car.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pee” translations and entries fazer xixi, urinar, mijar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (fazer, xixi, chichi) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fazer, fazer xixi, mijar, urinar, xixi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
