What does it mean word for word?
Literally, tirarse un pedo translates to "to throw oneself a fart." It is composed of the reflexive verb tirarse (to throw oneself) and the noun pedo (fart).
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between the act and the physiological state: tirarse un pedo refers to the specific act of passing gas, whereas tener gases is a more polite way to describe the physiological state of having gas. Additionally, if you want to describe the act of farting frequently or repeatedly, you can use the verb pedorrear.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase tirarse un pedo is colloquial and can be considered vulgar or impolite in many social settings. For a technical or formal context, use expulsar gases. If you wish to be informal, echar un gas is an option. For a playful tone, you can use the verb pedorrear, which is used to describe farting sounds or having fun with the idea of farting.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the phrase uses the reflexive verb tirarse, you must use reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se) when conjugating it, such as in se tiró un pedo (he/she farted).
How do you pronounce it?
/tiɾaɾse un pedo/
Did you know?
- In Mexico, the word pedo is so versatile that it can mean 'a problem' or 'a mess'. For example, saying tengo un pedo means 'I have a problem' rather than referring to gas.
- The phrase estar pedo is used in many dialects to describe being drunk instead of passing gas.
- In Mexico, the noun pedo can be transformed into the reflexive verb pedearse to describe the process of getting drunk.
Examples in context
- Juan se tiró un pedo y todos se rieronJuan farted, and everyone laughed
- El bebé echó un gas y la abuela se rióThe baby farted, and grandma laughed
- Los niños pedorreaban y se divertíanThe children were farting and having fun
- Juan se aventó un pedoJuan let out a fart
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
