Gesäß
/ɡəˈzɛːs/
The English phrase 'buttocks' is Gesäß in German.
The term refers to the pair of buttocks.
Meaning: pair of buttocks (noun)
Which one should you use?
Gesäß is used in anatomical, medical or formal contexts, whereas more colloquial terms are used in casual speech.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Gesäß is a formal or medical term. For everyday conversation, Hintern is a common, slightly more informal way to refer to the buttocks. If you are speaking to children, you might use the playful and affectionate term Popo or the informal Po. The word Arsch is the vulgar equivalent of buttocks and should be used with caution.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun Gesäß is a neuter noun, so the definite article is das Gesäß. The plural form of Gesäß is Gesäße.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡəˈzɛːs/
Did you know?
- While Gesäß describes the anatomy, the phrase den Hintern hochkriegen literally means 'to get one's buttocks up' but is used to mean 'to get moving' or 'to start working'.
- The word Gesäß shares its origins with the English word 'seat', as both describe the physical place where one sits.
- The vulgar word Arsch is used in the common idiom am Arsch sein, which means to be 'screwed' or in a hopeless situation.
Examples in context
- Ich habe Schmerzen im Gesäßbereich.I have pain in the buttocks area.
- Das Gesäß schmerzt nach dem langen Laufen.The buttocks ache after the long run.
- Er hat ein sehr kräftiges Gesäß.He has very strong buttocks.
- Das Kissen schützt das Gesäß beim Sitzen.The cushion protects the buttocks while sitting.
Example conversation
Maximilian and Julia are at a furniture store testing chairs.
- MaximilianWie fühlt sich dieser Sessel an?How does this armchair feel?
- JuliaEr ist zu hart für mein Gesäß.It is too hard for my buttocks.
- MaximilianDann probieren wir einen anderen aus.Then let's try another one.
- JuliaJa, das wäre besser, Maximilian.Yes, that would be better, Maximilian.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Gesäß, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Gesäß, CC BY-SA 4.0.
