poto
/ˈpoto/masculine
The Spanish word for buttocks is poto. Wiktionary also lists nalgatorio and nalgamento.
Meaning: pair of buttocks (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| poto | /ˈpoto/ | masculine |
| nalgatorio | /nalɡatoɾjo/ (from spelling rules) | colloquial, masculine |
| nalgamento | /nalɡamento/ (from spelling rules) | colloquial, masculine |
The term refers to the pair of buttocks.
Which one should you use?
While poto is the standard colloquial term in several South American countries, other variations exist. Nalgatorio and nalgamento are also colloquial masculine nouns used to refer to the same body part.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Other informal ways to refer to the buttocks include culo and cola.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, Peru and Bolivia, poto is the standard colloquial term. In Mexico, cola is used to mean butt, while in Argentina, trasero is used to mean butt.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word poto is a masculine noun. To refer to the pair of buttocks, you can use the plural form los potos.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpoto/
Did you know?
- While many Spanish words for body parts are derived from Latin, the term poto may actually be related to the Quechua word putu, which means 'vessel'.
- In Mexico, cola literally means 'tail', reflecting a linguistic tendency to refer to the buttocks as the part of the body where a tail would be.
- The word poto can also be used in various regional idioms to describe something that is small or the very end of an object, moving beyond human anatomy.
Examples in context
- Me duele el culo de tanto sentarme.My butt hurts from sitting so much.
- Le duele mucho el poto.His buttocks hurt a lot.
- Siento un golpe en el poto.I feel a hit on my buttocks.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are sitting on a park bench.
- Alejandro¿Por qué te mueves tanto, María?Why are you moving so much, María?
- MaríaEs que me duele el poto.It is just that my buttocks hurt.
- AlejandroDeberías buscar un asiento más suave.You should look for a softer seat.
- MaríaTienes razón, Alejandro.You are right, Alejandro.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “buttocks” translations and entries poto, nalgatorio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries poto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
