pipi
/pi.pi/
The English phrase "wee wee" is translated into French as pipi.
pipi is a childish or highly informal way to refer to urine, similar to the English "pee-pee". It is commonly used in the verbal construction faire pipi to mean the act of urinating (to pee).
Which one should you use?
While pipi is used in casual or child-directed speech, uriner is the formal, medical or technical term for "to urinate".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
pipi is an informal word used among both children and adults. For a more polite approach, you can use the euphemism se soulager, which means "to relieve oneself". If you are among close friends, you might use the informal verb pisser to mean "to pee".
How do you pronounce it?
/pi.pi/
Did you know?
- The French use the slang expression pipi-cacahuète to describe something trivial or insignificant, literally translating to 'pee-peanut'.
- The word pipi is constructed by doubling the first syllable of the vulgar verb pisser. This reduplication is a typical linguistic method used to create 'baby talk' in French.
- Adults in France may use the phrase faire un petit pipi specifically to downplay the act of using the bathroom in social situations.
Examples in context
- Est-ce que tu as fait pipi ?Did you go pee?
- Le bébé a fait pipi.The baby peed.
Example conversation
Manon is helping Nathan, a small child, get ready for a walk.
- NathanMaman, je dois faire pipi.Mom, I have to go pee.
- ManonD'accord, Nathan, on y va vite.Okay, Nathan, let's go quickly.
- NathanJ'ai presque fait pipi dans mon pantalon !I almost peed in my pants!
- ManonDépêche-toi alors !Hurry up then!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pipi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pipi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
