die Arschbacke
ass cheek
One of the two rounded halves of the buttocks; a vulgar term for buttock.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sturz tat mir die linke Arschbacke weh.
After the fall, my left ass cheek hurt.
die Arschbacke
ass cheek
die Arschbacke, die Arschbacken
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Meanings
die Arschbacken zusammenkneifen
to grit one's teeth
A crude idiom meaning to pull oneself together and keep going despite difficulties, or to endure something unpleasant.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen jetzt die Arschbacken zusammenkneifen und die Arbeit zu Ende bringen.
We just have to grit our teeth now and finish the job.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Arschbacke, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Arschbacken |
| genitive | der Arschbacke |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Arschbacke | die Arschbacken |
| accusative | die Arschbacke | die Arschbacken |
| dative | der Arschbacke | den Arschbacken |
| genitive | der Arschbacke | der Arschbacken |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
The word consists of „Arsch“ (ass) and „Backe“ (cheek). „Backe“ refers here to a rounded part of the body; this image can help you remember the word.
EXAMPLE
Auf jeder Arschbacke hatte er einen blauen Fleck.
He had a bruise on each ass cheek.
Vulgar usage
„Arschbacke“ (ass cheek) is vulgar both as a term for a body part and in the idiom. In familiar conversations, the word can sound humorous; in polite or formal situations, it may be inappropriate.
EXAMPLE
Beim Arzt sagt man lieber „Gesäßbacke“ als „Arschbacke“.
At the doctor’s, it is better to say „Gesäßbacke“ (buttock) than „Arschbacke“ (ass cheek).
Fixed expression
In this idiom, „die Arschbacken“ (one's ass cheeks) is a plural accusative object of „zusammenkneifen“ (to clench). As a command, the expression can motivate people you are familiar with to persevere, but it can also sound harsh and lacking in empathy.
EXAMPLE
Kneif die Arschbacken zusammen und halte die letzten zehn Minuten durch!
Grit your teeth and hang in there for the last ten minutes!
In real life
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