What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb hacer (to make/do) and the noun caca (poop).
Which one should you use?
While hacer caca is a common informal way to say 'to poop', you might encounter other terms depending on the context. Defecar and evacuar are more formal ways to refer to the act of defecation, whereas hacer del número dos is an informal expression common in Latin American countries.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Hacer caca is an informal expression used by both children and adults, though it is most commonly used when speaking to or about children. For formal, medical or clinical contexts, use defecar or evacuar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the informal term cagar is used. Additionally, in certain regions of Spain, the expression hacer un zurullo is used to mean 'to make a turd'. In Latin American countries, the informal expression hacer del número dos is common.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because hacer is a conjugated verb and caca is a noun, the phrase changes based on the subject. For example, you would say yo hago caca or él hace caca.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeɾ kaka/
Did you know?
- The English word 'factory' shares its distant ancestor with the verb hacer used in this phrase, as both trace back to the Latin 'facere'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, caca is used as a general word for 'dirt' or 'filth' to warn children away from something unsanitary, even if it is not actually excrement.
- While hacer caca is informal, the verb cagar is often considered a strong profanity in many Spanish-speaking countries and can be used to form aggressive insults.
Examples in context
- A los gatos les gustan hacer caca en el arenero de nuestros hijos.Cats like to poop in our kids' sandbox.This sentence uses hacer caca to describe the habits of cats.Tatoeba #10801849 by Luornu, translation #8633979 by Eccles17
- Es importante defecar regularmente para mantener una buena salud intestinalIt is important to poop regularly to maintain good intestinal health
- Me disculpo, necesito hacer cacaI apologize, I need to poop
- El perro quiere hacer caca en el jardín.The dog wants to poop in the garden.
- Mi bebé acaba de hacer caca.My baby just pooped.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are at home taking care of their puppy.
- MateoLucía, creo que el cachorro quiere hacer caca.Lucía, I think the puppy wants to poop.
- Lucía¡Rápido, Mateo! Sácalo al patio ahora.Quick, Mateo! Take him to the patio now.
- MateoYa lo saqué, espero que no ensucie todo.I already took him out, I hope he doesn't make a mess everywhere.
- LucíaNo te preocupes, él suele hacer caca afuera.Don't worry, he usually poops outside.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caca, hacer, hacer caca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
