01
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
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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Outdated meaning
The use of 'Butt' (oaf) as an insult for a person is very rare today and is considered outdated.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 both be used derogatorily for a stupid or awkward person. 'Trottel' is much more common and is more likely to be understood in everyday speech. 'Butt' in this meaning is outdated and regional. Many people first think of a fish when they hear 'Butt'. For learners, 'Trottel' is therefore the clearer choice when this derogatory meaning is intended. 'Butt' as an insult can easily sound unusual or old-fashioned.
Butt
Beim Frühstück erzählte der Großvater, dass man früher in seinem Dorf einen groben Kerl manchmal einen Butt nannte.
At breakfast, the grandfather said that in his village, people used to sometimes call a crude fellow a Butt.
Trottel
Im Park schimpfte ein Mann über den Trottel, der sein Fahrrad vor den Eingang gestellt hatte.
In the park, a man complained about the idiot who had put his bicycle in front of the entrance.
In real life
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