pipi caca
The English phrase "pee pee poo poo" is translated into French as pipi caca.
pipi caca is a childish way to refer to urine and feces. It is used by young children or by adults when they are speaking to very young children.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of two parts: pipi, which literally means "pee" or "urine" in a childish context and caca, which literally means "poo" or "feces" in a childish context.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
pipi caca is used in a childish or baby-talk register. For a polite alternative in a formal setting, you can use the expression répondre à l'appel de la nature, which means "answering nature's call".
Did you know?
- The word pipi is a softened version of the much more vulgar verb pisser, created by repeating its first syllable to sound less offensive.
- If you use pipi caca in a serious or adult conversation, it can be perceived as extremely condescending, much like using 'wee-wee' in an argument in English.
- In some French dialects, the word caca can be used to describe something of very poor quality or a 'messy' situation, regardless of whether actual waste is involved.
Examples in context
- Attends-moi, je vais faire pipi rapidement.Wait for me, I'll go pee quickly.
- Je vais au petit coin faire mes besoins, je reviens tout de suite.I'm going to the bathroom to do my business, I'll be right back.
Example conversation
A parent and child are in the bathroom.
- HugoHugo, tu as fait pipi caca ?Hugo, did you go pee pee poo poo?
- EmmaOui, j'ai fait pipi caca !Yes, I went pee pee poo poo!
- HugoC'est bien, on va nettoyer ça.That's good, we are going to clean that up.
- EmmaJe peux laver mes mains, Emma ?Can I wash my hands, Emma?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caca, pipi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
