Which one should you use?
Depending on the situation, you might choose a different word: caca is the most common and widely used term for poo poo in Spanish, while pupú is a cute and informal alternative used with children or between friends. If you need to be formal, you should use heces. The word mierda primarily means feces but can be used to refer to undesirable or disappointing situations.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
popó is an informal, childish way to refer to feces, similar to the English 'poo poo'. For a formal tone, use heces. In casual conversation, caca and pupú are common, whereas mierda is informal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the word popó is widely used to discuss poo poo. In Argentina, the word caquita is commonly used among family members or close friends.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun popó is masculine and is typically used with the definite article el.
How do you pronounce it?
/popo/
Did you know?
- The word popó is an onomatopoeia, meaning its sound is intended to mimic the physical sound or the suddenness of the action itself.
- Certain regions use the phrase hacer popó specifically as a euphemism to avoid using the more graphic verb cagar.
- In Spanish, the word heces is strictly medical or scientific and would sound strangely clinical or robotic if used in a home setting.
Examples in context
- Hay mucho popó en el jardín.There is a lot of poo in the garden.
- El perro dejó un poco de popó.The dog left a little bit of poo.
- ¡Qué asco, ese popó huele mal!How gross, that poo smells bad!
Example conversation
Mateo and María are taking care of a toddler.
- MateoCreo que el bebé hizo popó.I think the baby did a poo.
- MaríaSí, huelo la popó desde aquí.Yes, I smell the poo from here.
- Mateo¿Puedes traerme un pañal nuevo, María?Can you bring me a new diaper, María?
- MaríaSí, Mateo, ya voy.Yes, Mateo, I'm coming.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry popó, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries popó, CC BY-SA 4.0.
