おしっこ
oshikko[o̞ɕik̚ko̞]
The English phrase "pee pee" is translated into Japanese as おしっこ (oshikko).
おしっこ is a childish or slightly polite word for urine or the act of urinating. It is commonly used when speaking with children or in casual settings. If you are looking for the childish word for poop, that would be うんち.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The way you describe urination in Japanese depends heavily on the setting. おしっこ is a common, slightly polite or childish term. For a casual way to say "to pee," you can use おしっこする. If you need to be formal or respectful, use お手洗いで用を足す, 小用を足す (to attend to personal business) or the clinical term 排尿する. For very informal or slang contexts, ションベンをする or its abbreviated version ションをする can be used to mean "to take a leak."
How do you pronounce it?
oshikko
Did you know?
- The word おしっこ is relatively modern, with its first documented appearance occurring only around 1905.
- While おしっこ is the common term, the slang ションベン originates from 小便, which literally means 'small convenience'.
- If you are in a very polite setting, you should avoid mentioning the liquid entirely and instead refer to the place, such as saying you are going to 'the restroom' or 'the powder room'.
Examples in context
- お手洗いで用を足すTo take care of business in the restroom
- おしっこがしたいです。Oshikko ga shitai desu.I want to pee.
- おしっこをしましょう。Oshikko o shimashou.Let's go pee-pee.
Example conversation
Two children are getting ready to go outside.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵、おしっこはした？Himari, oshikko wa shita?Himari, did you pee pee?
- 陽葵 Himariまだだよ。Mada da yo.Not yet.
- 大翔 Hiroto急いでしてね。Isoide shite ne.Do it quickly.
- 陽葵 Himariいまからおしっこに行く！Ima kara oshikko ni iku!I'm going to pee pee now!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry おしっこ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries おしっこ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
