der Po
bottom
Colloquial term for the buttocks; the part of the body you sit on.
EXAMPLE
Das Kind ist beim Spielen auf den Po gefallen.
The child fell on their bottom while playing.
der Po
bottom / Po
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Meanings
der Po
Po River
A large river in northern Italy, the longest in the country.
EXAMPLE
Die Industriestadt Turin liegt direkt am Po.
The industrial city of Turin lies directly on the Po.
Usage tips
Context clue
The two meanings can only be distinguished by context. If people are talking about geography, Italy, or cities like Turin, the river is meant. If it is about the human body, sitting, or falling down, the buttocks are meant.
EXAMPLE
Die Po-Ebene ist eine sehr fruchtbare Region in Italien.
The Po Valley is a very fertile region in Italy.
Register: colloquial
In the meaning 'Gesäß' (buttocks), 'der Po' is a colloquial word. It is often used in everyday speech and when talking with children.
EXAMPLE
Das Baby hat einen wunden Po.
The baby has a sore bottom.
Use with article
When the river in Italy is meant, the definite article is almost always used: 'der Po' (the Po). For example, people speak of a trip to the Po.
EXAMPLE
Der Po ist der längste Fluss Italiens.
The Po is the longest river in Italy.
Compare with
Po vs Arsch
ass / asshole
Arsch and Po both refer to the buttocks. Arsch is crude and vulgar and often sounds aggressive or especially coarse. Po is an inoffensive colloquial term and is a better fit when the statement should sound casual but not crude.
Po
Ruhig sagte er, dass ihm nach dem Sturz der Po wehtat.
Calmly, he said that his bottom hurt after the fall.
Arsch
Wütend rief er, dass ihm nach dem Sturz der Arsch wehtat.
Angrily, he shouted that his ass hurt after the fall.
In real life
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