Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| caca | /ka.ka/ | masculine |
| popo | /po.po/ | masculine |
The term is used to refer to feces. While it is a common informal noun, it is most frequently used when speaking to or about children.
Which one should you use?
caca is the standard informal noun, whereas popo is a more childish version of the word, often used as baby-talk. If you want to express the action of defecating, use the verbal phrase faire caca.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
caca is an informal and common term. For an even more childish register, you can use popo. If you need a formal or medical term, déjection or selle are appropriate, though selle specifically refers to feces. Note that merde can also be used to refer to poop, but it is considered profanity (shit or crap).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both caca and popo are masculine nouns. To express the act of defecating, the phrase faire caca or faire popo is used.
How do you pronounce it?
/ka.ka/
Did you know?
- The word merde is famously used in French theatre culture as a way to wish an actor 'good luck' before a performance.
- The word caca shares a direct ancestor with the Latin verb cacāre, which was used to describe the same act in ancient Rome.
- The word caca is used across many different Romance languages, such as Spanish and Italian, making it one of the most internationally recognized terms for feces.
Examples in context
- Le caca est en papier.The poop is made of paper.This sentence illustrates the use of caca as a noun.Tatoeba #12416628 by Orange, translation #12416629 by Orange
- Maman, je veux faire caca.Mom, I have to poop.This sentence shows how to use the phrase faire caca to express a need.Tatoeba #10580508 by lbdx, translation #10569272 by felidad
- Personne n'aime voir le caca.No one likes looking at poop.This sentence shows the use of caca in a general context.Tatoeba #12478413 by always, translation #10881657 by Amastan
- Les excréments doivent être traités de manière appropriée.The feces must be handled appropriately.
- Mon chien a fait caca dans le jardin!My dog pooped in the garden!
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are walking in the park.
- ManonNathan, fais attention par terre !Nathan, watch your step!
- NathanPourquoi, Manon ?Why, Manon?
- ManonIl y a un caca de chien.There is a dog poop.
- NathanAh mince, j'ai failli marcher dessus.Oh shoot, I almost stepped on it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “poop” translations and entries caca, popo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caca, popo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
