der Arsch
ass
A vulgar term for the human buttocks.
EXAMPLE
Er ist beim Skaten hingefallen und direkt auf den Arsch geknallt.
He fell while skating and landed right on his ass.
der Arsch
ass / asshole
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Meanings
der Arsch
asshole
A crude, vulgar insult for a person who is perceived as mean, unfair, or stupid.
EXAMPLE
Was für ein Arsch, er hat sich einfach vorgedrängelt!
What an asshole, he just pushed ahead in line!
am Arsch der Welt
in the middle of nowhere
A colloquial expression for a very remote, uninteresting place.
EXAMPLE
Das Dorf liegt wirklich am Arsch der Welt, da gibt es nicht mal Handyempfang.
The village really is in the middle of nowhere; there's not even cell reception there.
am Arsch sein
to be screwed / exhausted
A colloquial expression meaning to be completely exhausted, worn out, or in a hopeless situation.
EXAMPLE
Nach der 12-Stunden-Schicht war ich komplett am Arsch.
After the 12-hour shift, I was completely exhausted.
den Arsch hochkriegen
to get off one's ass
A colloquial demand to get active, overcome one's laziness, and do something.
EXAMPLE
Du musst endlich den Arsch hochkriegen und anfangen, für die Prüfung zu lernen.
You finally have to get off your ass and start studying for the exam.
jemandem in den Arsch kriechen
to kiss someone's ass
A vulgar expression for exaggerated, submissive flattery in order to make someone like you.
EXAMPLE
Ich hasse es, wie er dem Chef ständig in den Arsch kriecht, nur um Vorteile zu bekommen.
I hate how he constantly kisses the boss's ass just to get advantages.
Leck mich am Arsch
kiss my ass
A crude, vulgar exclamation that expresses strong rejection, annoyance, or indifference.
EXAMPLE
Als er mich bat, unbezahlte Überstunden zu machen, dachte ich nur: Leck mich am Arsch.
When he asked me to do unpaid overtime, I just thought: Kiss my ass.
Usage tips
Register and style
The word 'Arsch' (ass) is vulgar and belongs to colloquial language. It should absolutely be avoided in formal or polite situations, as it is perceived as very rude or insulting.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, was du sagst, hier sind Kinder dabei!
Watch what you say, there are children here!
Prepositions
When referring to the buttocks, the preposition 'auf' (on) is often used. The accusative indicates movement ('auf den Arsch fallen' = to fall on one's ass), while the dative describes a state or location ('auf dem Arsch sitzen' = to sit on one's ass).
EXAMPLE
Ich bin auf dem nassen Boden ausgerutscht und auf den Arsch gefallen.
I slipped on the wet floor and fell on my ass.
Use as an insult
As an insult for a person, 'Arsch' (asshole) is often used with an indefinite article or an intensifier like 'so ein' (such a). It describes a person whose behavior is perceived as unfair or mean.
EXAMPLE
Er hat mir nicht geholfen, obwohl er es versprochen hat. So ein Arsch!
He didn't help me even though he promised. What an asshole!
Fixed expression
The idiom 'am Arsch der Welt' (in the middle of nowhere) is a fixed unit. It is used to describe a place as extremely remote and isolated.
EXAMPLE
Mein neues Büro ist in einem Industriegebiet am Arsch der Welt.
My new office is in an industrial area in the middle of nowhere.
Fixed expression
The expression 'am Arsch sein' (to be screwed / exhausted) is a fixed unit. It means that someone is completely exhausted, financially ruined, or in a hopeless situation.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Marathon war ich körperlich total am Arsch.
After the marathon, I was physically totally exhausted.
Fixed expression
The demand 'den Arsch hochkriegen' (to get off one's ass) is a fixed expression. The object 'den Arsch' is always in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Wenn du die Prüfung bestehen willst, musst du endlich den Arsch hochkriegen und lernen.
If you want to pass the exam, you finally have to get off your ass and study.
Dative construction
In the expression 'jemandem in den Arsch kriechen' (to kiss someone's ass), the person one wants to ingratiate oneself with is always in the dative. It is a very vulgar description of submissive behavior.
EXAMPLE
Er kriecht dem Professor in den Arsch, um eine bessere Note zu bekommen.
He kisses the professor's ass to get a better grade.
Fixed expression
The exclamation 'Leck mich am Arsch!' (Kiss my ass!) is a fixed, very crude idiom. It is used to reject someone sharply or to express that you don't care about something at all.
EXAMPLE
Er wollte, dass ich seine Arbeit mache. Ich sagte ihm, er könne mich am Arsch lecken.
He wanted me to do his work. I told him he could kiss my ass.
Compare with
Arsch vs Arschloch
asshole
Arsch and Arschloch can both be used as crude and vulgar insults for a person. Arschloch is usually the stronger and more explicit term for a person. Arsch can work as a somewhat more general insult, but it is also clearly offensive.
Arsch
Nach seinem unfairen Verhalten nannte sie ihn wütend einen Arsch.
Angrily, she called him an ass after his unfair behavior.
Arschloch
Nach seinem besonders rücksichtslosen Verhalten nannte sie ihn wütend ein Arschloch.
Angrily, she called him an asshole after his particularly inconsiderate behavior.
In real life
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