hacer pis
/aθeɾ pis/from spelling rules
The English verb 'pee' can be translated into Spanish using several forms, most commonly hacer pis. Wiktionary also lists mear and hacer chichí.
Meaning: urinate (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| hacer pis | /aθeɾ pis/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /aseɾ pis/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| mear | /meˈaɾ/ | |
| hacer chichí | /aθeɾ t͡ʃit͡ʃi/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /aseɾ t͡ʃit͡ʃi/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| hacer pipí | /aθeɾ pipi/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /aseɾ pipi/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| hacer chis | /aθeɾ t͡ʃis/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /aseɾ t͡ʃis/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| orinar | /oɾiˈnaɾ/ | |
| uixar | /wiɡsaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | Mexico |
| pishar | /piˈʃaɾ/ | Argentina |
These terms are used to describe the act of urinating. For a polite euphemism, you can say ir al baño (to go to the bathroom).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase hacer pis is literally 'to do pee'.
Which one should you use?
Orinar is the formal or medical term for 'to urinate'. Hacer pis is a common way to express the action in daily life. Mear is a colloquial and informal term for 'pee'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Orinar is the formal choice. Hacer pipí and hacer chichí are informal, gentle or childish ways to speak. Mear is considered vulgar and should be used with caution. Hacer chichí specifically has a childish quality, similar to 'to go potty' in English.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you may hear uixar. In Argentina, the regionalism pishar is used.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeɾ pis/
Did you know?
- The word mear is actually a distant relative of the English medical term 'micturate'.
- In many homes, adults use the childish phrase hacer pipí as a polite middle ground to avoid being either too vulgar or too clinical.
- The verb orinar is so formal that using it in a casual conversation with friends might sound oddly clinical or robotic.
Examples in context
- Necesito ir a mear.I need to pee.The example using mear shows how to express a basic need.Tatoeba #3847239 by cueyayotl, translation #3379282 by aengelberg
- Me estoy por mear encima.I'm bursting for a pee.The example using mear illustrates how to say one is about to have an accident.Tatoeba #5157606 by don_ramon, translation #535029 by blay_paul
- Levanta la tapa antes de mear.Lift the seat before you pee.The example using mear provides an instruction regarding a toilet seat.Tatoeba #6602283 by arh, translation #6602135 by Eccles17
- Disculpe, ¿dónde puedo encontrar un baño para orinar?Excuse me, where can I find a restroom to pee?
- Perdón, pero necesito hacer pis. ¿Hay un baño cerca?Sorry, but I need to pee. Is there a restroom nearby?
- ¡No puedo aguantar más, necesito mear!I can't hold it anymore, I need to pee!
- No te rías tanto, ¡me voy a orinar!Don't laugh so much, I'm going to pee!
- ¿Tienes que hacer pipí antes de salir?Do you have to pee before we leave?
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A long car trip during a road trip.
- MaríaMateo, ¿podemos parar? Tengo que hacer pis.Mateo, can we stop? I have to pee.
- MateoEstá bien, buscaremos una gasolinera pronto.Okay, we will look for a gas station soon.
- MaríaGracias, es que no aguanto más.Thanks, it's just that I can't hold it anymore.
- MateoNo te preocupes, ya casi llegamos.Don't worry, we are almost there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pee” translations and entries hacer pis, mear, hacer pipí, orinar, pishar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chichí, hacer, mear, pis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
