ihi
/ˈʔihiʔ/
The Tagalog word for "pee" is ihi.
ihi is primarily used as a noun meaning "pee" or "urine". It also serves as the root for various verbal constructions used to describe the act of urinating.
Meaning: urinate (verb)
Which one should you use?
ihi is the noun used to refer to the liquid itself, whereas other forms like umihi or pag-ihi are used to describe the action or the process.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun ihi can be transformed into a verb by adding the infix -um-, resulting in umihi (to urinate). To describe the act of peeing or the gerund, you use pag-ihi. If you want to express that someone or something has been urinated upon, use the form inihi.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʔihiʔ/
Did you know?
- While ihi is the standard term, many Filipinos use the English word 'comfort room' or 'CR' to avoid saying the word for peeing when asking for a restroom.
- The word ihi is shared across a vast region of the Pacific and Southeast Asia, as it descends from a single word used by Proto-Austronesian speakers thousands of years ago.
- The root ihi can be combined with other words to create specific terms for bed-wetting or nocturnal enuresis, showing how the language builds complex medical concepts from a simple root.
Examples in context
- Sumasabog na ako ng ihi.I'm bursting for a pee.This sentence shows how to express a strong urge to pee using ihi.Tatoeba #1919169 by nonong, translation #535029 by blay_paul
- Nakaimbak ang ihi sa bayag.Pee is stored in the balls.This sentence uses ihi to refer to the substance being stored.Tatoeba #11575147 by qwertzu, translation #11132323 by Ooneykcall
- Mapanghi ang ihi ng aso namin sa bahay.The pee of our dog at home smells.This sentence uses ihi to describe the urine of a pet.
- Pasensya na po, pero kailangan ko po umihiExcuse me, but I need to use the restroom.
- Guys, sandali lang ha, kailangan ko lang mag-ihiHey guys, just a moment, I need to pee.
Example conversation
Ricardo and Maria are taking a break during a long car trip.
- RicardoGusto ko nang umihi.I want to pee now.
- MariaMay gasolinahan ba rito?Is there a gas station here?
- RicardoOo, ihi lang ako sandali.Yes, I'll just pee for a moment.
- MariaSige, bilisan mo lang.Okay, just be quick.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ihi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ihi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
