Verb

schiffen

to pee, to rain cats and dogs, to ship

Es schifft wie aus Eimern.

It's raining cats and dogs.

Der kleine Junge musste mal schiffen.

The little boy had to pee.

es schifft it's raining cats and dogs Es schifft seit Stunden.

Synonyms: urinieren, pinkeln (to urinate); regnen, gießen (to rain)

Comes from 'Schiff' (ship). It originally meant 'to navigate by ship'. The slang meanings for urination and heavy rain developed from the concept of water flowing.

Picture a ship ('Schiff') letting out water. This image can help you remember both slang meanings: 'to pee' and 'to pour rain'.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.