01
der Hintern
butt
(colloquial) A person's buttocks.
example
Das Kind ist beim Spielen auf den Hintern gefallen.
The child fell on his butt while playing.
der Hintern
butt
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Register: colloquial language
The word 'Hintern' (butt) is colloquial. In formal, polite, or medical contexts, you should use the neutral word 'Gesäß' (buttocks) instead.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, die Bank ist nass, sonst wird dein Hintern nass.
Watch out, the bench is wet, or your butt will get wet.
Word structure
'Der Hintern' (butt) derives from the adverb 'hinten' (at/in the back), which means 'in the rear area.' So it literally refers to the rear part of the body.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich beim Hinsetzen eine Nadel in den Hintern gestochen.
He pricked his butt on a needle when he sat down.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'den Hintern hochkriegen' (to get off your butt) is a fixed unit. It is an informal, direct appeal to finally become active or start doing something.
EXAMPLE
Komm, krieg den Hintern hoch, wir müssen los!
Come on, get off your butt, we have to go!
Compare with
Hintern vs Arsch
ass / asshole
'der Arsch' and 'der Hintern' can both mean the buttocks. The most important difference is the tone: 'Arsch' is vulgar and can quickly sound insulting, while 'Hintern' is colloquial but much milder. In the expressions 'den Arsch hochkriegen' (to get off one's ass) or 'den Hintern hochkriegen' (to get off one's butt), the meaning is also to finally become active. With 'Arsch', the demand sounds much rougher. Learners may confuse the words because they mean the same body part, but in everyday life 'Hintern' is usually safer.
Hintern
Nach drei Stunden im Bus tut mir der Hintern weh.
After three hours on the bus, my butt hurts.
Arsch
Krieg endlich den Arsch hoch, sonst verpassen wir den Zug.
Get off your ass already, or we'll miss the train.
In real life
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