Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| đái | [ʔɗaːj˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɗaːj˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
| tiểu | [tiəw˧˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tiw˧˨] (Huế, narrow) |
The verb is used to describe the act of urinating. Related nouns for 'urine' include nước đái and nước tiểu. Note that the words pê and pờ are used to refer to the name of the letter P.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun nước tiểu (urine) is composed of nước, meaning water and tiểu, meaning to urinate, literally translating to 'urination water'.
Which one should you use?
đái is a blunt and somewhat vulgar term, similar to the English word 'piss'. In contrast, tiểu is a polite euphemism used in medical contexts or when speaking to elders.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
đái is an informal and blunt way to say pee. For a more polite or euphemistic tone, use tiểu. In formal situations, you can use the phrase đi tiểu (to urinate) or the even more indirect đi vệ sinh, which means 'to go to the restroom'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of going to the bathroom to pee, Vietnamese speakers often place the verb đi (to go) before the verb for urinating, such as in the phrase đi đái.
Did you know?
- The term đái is believed by some linguists to be an imitative or onomatopoeic word, mimicking the sound or sensation of the act itself.
- While đi vệ sinh is the polite way to say 'go to the bathroom', the word vệ sinh literally means 'hygiene' or 'sanitation'.
- In very casual settings, Vietnamese speakers may use the word tè instead of đái to sound less vulgar and more childlike.
Examples in context
- Tôi cần đi đái.I need to pee.This sentence shows how to express the need to pee using đái.Tatoeba #4272707 by phuc, translation #3379282 by aengelberg
- Bạn đi tiểu mấy lần một ngày?How many times do you pee in a day?This sentence demonstrates how to ask about frequency of urination using tiểu.Tatoeba #13731216 by leucammieuvu, translation #13729066 by mervert1
- Xin lỗi, tôi phải đi tiểu một chút.Excuse me, I need to go urinate for a moment.
- Anh/chị có thể chỉ cho tôi nơi để đi vệ sinh không?Can you please show me where the restroom is?
- Em đã đi đái chưa?Have you peed yet?
- Con chó đang đái vào cột điện.The dog is peeing on the utility pole.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chi and Hùng are hiking in the woods.
- ChiHùng ơi, chị muốn đi đái.Hùng, I want to pee.
- HùngChị cứ đi đi, em sẽ đợi.Go ahead, I will wait.
- ChiChỗ này có an toàn không?Is this spot safe?
- HùngAn toàn mà, chị cứ tự nhiên.It is safe, feel free.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pee” translations and entries đái, tiểu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tiểu, đái, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
