pipì
/piˈpi/
The English phrase "pee pee" is translated into Italian as pipì.
In Italian, if you want to use the phrase as a verb meaning "to pee", you use the phrase fare la pipì.
Which one should you use?
While pipì is the colloquial term for pee, urina is the formal, medical term for urine. If you need a formal term for the act of urinating, you can use Minzione, which is commonly used in medical and scientific contexts. For an extremely formal and polite way to refer to the bodily function of urination, you may use Espletamento delle proprie necessità fisiologiche.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
pipì is an informal, childish term used by children or when speaking to children. For a colloquial verb used among friends or family, you can use pisciare.
How do you pronounce it?
/piˈpi/
Did you know?
- Depending on the region of Italy, the verb pisciare can be used metaphorically to describe heavy rain, similar to the English 'pissing it down'.
- The formal term minzione is derived from the Latin minutio, which originally referred to a diminishing or a making smaller.
- In many Italian households, instead of using the word pipì, parents might use the more euphemistic 'fare i bisogni', which translates literally to 'to do one's needs'.
Examples in context
- Il bambino ha bisogno di andare in bagno per espletare le proprie necessità fisiologiche.The child needs to go to the bathroom to perform his physiological needs.
- Mamma, devo fare la pipì!Mom, I have to pee!
- Devo fare la pipì.I need to pee pee.
- Hai fatto la pipì?Did you pee pee?
- Il cane ha fatto la pipì sul tappeto.The dog did pee pee on the rug.
Example conversation
A parent and child are preparing to leave the house.
- LorenzoChiara, devi fare la pipì prima di uscire?Chiara, do you need to pee pee before we leave?
- ChiaraSì, Lorenzo, vado subito!Yes, Lorenzo, I'm going right now!
- LorenzoFai presto con la pipì, per favore.Be quick with the pee pee, please.
- ChiaraHo fatto la pipì, ora possiamo andare.I peed, now we can go.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pipì, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
