Using toilet as a verb

Question

Is there a single word for "pass the urine/motion"
So that I can tell my child go ___ it. In the Urdu language it is called as peshaab/ pekhana. Peshaab karo means pass the urine. Like wise pekhana karo pass the motion.
Is there a decent way of saying that in English?

Free_spirit · Accepted Answer

In English you can simply tell the child "go toilet" without adding anything else, or you can say "go to the toilet." That is non-specific. There are also diminumtive phrases such as "go toiley" (pronounced toy-lee).

I don't think there are any universally accepted phrases for telling children to go to the toilet, especially if specifying which activity you are suggesting.

For urination, people say things such as "go pee-pee" or "go wee-wee".

For defecation, people say things such as "go poo-poo".

Vorpar · Answer

When speaking to small children, "go potty" is probably the preferred statement in AmE.

"Go to the bathroom" is the least euphemistic phrase that all ages would use.

Hrsanei · Answer

Hi vorpar.

Do we use I want to use the bathroom or I want to go the bathroom.

What about washroom? it it more euphemistic?

Thanks

Philip · Answer

hrsaneiHi vorpar.Do we use I want to use the bathroom or I want to go the bathroom. Either

What about washroom? it it more euphemistic?Thanks Yes

Unfortunately, we sometimes also use the distinctive terms of "number one" and "number two".

Clive · Answer

Hi,

In my part of Canada, the common term is 'washroom'.
But most polite adults usually try to avoid mentioning it at all, and certainly don't discuss the details of what they do there.
Exceptions to this would include situations that involve children or one's doctor.

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

free_spirit In English you can simply tell the child "go toilet" without adding anything else, or you can say "go to the toilet." That is non-specific. There are also diminumtive phrases such as "go toiley" (pronounced toy-lee).I don't think there are any universally accepted phrases for telling children to go to the toilet, especially if specifying which activity you are suggesting.For urination, people say things such as "go pee-pee" or "go wee-wee".For defecation, people say things such as "go poo-poo".

These all seem very American.

free_spiritI don't think there are any universally accepted phrases for telling children to go to the toilet

You're right about that. That's why your suggestions seem American in particular and unfamiliar in the UK. What exactly to say, will depend on which kind of English you speak.

You omitted the word to in your examples with the word go. Americans tend to speak like that but, British people talk of going to toilet. The word wee-wee is what little children say instead of the word wee http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/wee , which itself is an informal word that means to urinate. The word poo-poo is the little children's equivalent for the word poo.

Anonymous · Answer

Anonymous Is there a single word for "pass the urine/motion"So that I can tell my child go ___ it. In the Urdu language it is called as peshaab/ pekhana. Peshaab karo means pass the urine. Like wise pekhana karo pass the motion.Is there a decent way of saying that in English?

Yes, there is. From a British perspective, a decent, polite way would be go to toilet. That is not limited to children. It is a suitable wording for anyone to use, in general.

It's not, normally necessary to specify what kind of bodily waste needs to be excreted. If you really want or need to, you can use the word wee-wee to mean urinate, with little children. With older children and everyone else, you can use the word wee. You can use the word poo poo to mean defecate, with little children. With older children and everyone else, you can use the word poo.

The words poo and wee are informal so, in a situation where speaking formally would be necessary, you can use the words urinate and defecate.

Fivejedjon · Answer

Anonymous in a situation where speaking formally would be necessary, you can use the words urinate and defecate.

Like most British and American people, I have never been in a situation where I have had to speak formally about these things.

I suppose that, apart from discussing the problems of changing nappies sometimes with fellow parents of young children, or of talking about elderly relatives who may be (doubly) incontinent with people in the same situation, we simply do not talk about urination and defecation in polite company.

From time to time we get questions in this forum about the words we use, and the answers are always similar - we don't discuss these functions with anybody except our doctor.

As old age lessens the efficiency of my bladder, my wife may gently remind me that I might want to go to the loo before I embark on a journey, but it will be in the words I have italicised.

Using toilet as a verb

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