der Butt
flatfish
A general name for various types of flatfish, such as halibut, turbot, or flounder, which are characterized by their flat bodies.
EXAMPLE
In der Nordsee wird häufig Butt gefangen.
Flatfish are often caught in the North Sea.
der Butt
flatfish / oaf
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Meanings
der Butt
oaf
An outdated and regionally used, derogatory term for an awkward, stupid, or crude person.
EXAMPLE
Sei doch nicht so ein Butt und denk mal nach, bevor du handelst!
Don't be such an oaf, and think before you act!
Usage tips
False friend
Careful: 'Der Butt' (flatfish) has nothing to do with the English word 'butt' (buttocks, cigarette end). In German, it refers to a type of fish.
EXAMPLE
Im Restaurant an der Küste gab es frischen Butt.
At the restaurant on the coast, there was fresh flatfish.
Meaning in context
The two meanings are easy to distinguish. If people are talking about the sea, fishing, or food, the fish is meant. If it is a direct, somewhat old-fashioned description of a person, the insult is meant.
EXAMPLE
Der Fischer zog einen großen Butt aus dem Netz.
The fisherman pulled a large flatfish out of the net.
Part of fish names
The word 'Butt' (flatfish) is often the base word in compound names for flatfish. Examples are 'der Heilbutt' (halibut) or 'der Steinbutt' (turbot).
EXAMPLE
Heilbutt ist ein besonders beliebter Speisefisch.
Halibut is a particularly popular food fish.
Known from fairy tales
A talking Butt (flatfish) is a central character in the famous fairy tale 'Vom Fischer und seiner Frau' (The Fisherman and His Wife) by the Brothers Grimm. Many Germans know the word from this story.
EXAMPLE
Im Märchen erfüllt der Butt der Frau des Fischers alle Wünsche.
In the fairy tale, the flatfish grants all the wishes of the fisherman's wife.
Outdated meaning
The use of 'Butt' (oaf) as an insult for a person is very rare today and is considered outdated. You are more likely to find it in old literature or in some regional dialects.
EXAMPLE
Der Großvater schimpfte manchmal: „Du törichter Butt!“
The grandfather sometimes scolded: 'You foolish oaf!'
Compare with
Butt vs Trottel
fool / idiot
„der Trottel“ and „der Butt“ can be used disparagingly to refer to a stupid or awkward person. However, „Butt“ is outdated and regional in this sense, while „Trottel“ is a common general insult in present-day German. Use „Butt“ only when this old-fashioned or regional tone is specifically appropriate.
Butt
Im alten regionalen Roman nennt der Großvater den ungeschickten Jungen einen Butt.
In the old regional novel, the grandfather calls the clumsy boy an oaf.
Trottel
Du Trottel hast beim Tragen die Kiste fallen lassen.
You fool, you dropped the crate while carrying it.
In real life
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