culo
/ˈkulo/
culo is the Spanish word for the part of the body that a person sits on.
culo is a highly informal slang term used to refer to the rear end or buttocks.
Which one should you use?
While culo is a slang term, you can use trasero to be more polite or less vulgar when referring to the rear or bottom. For medical or scientific contexts, the anatomical term glúteos is used to refer to the gluteal muscles.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
culo is an informal word that can be considered vulgar or rude depending on the context. For a neutral and appropriate word in formal situations, use trasero. In relaxed, colloquial settings, you may also use trasero or trasera.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of culo is culos.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkulo/
Did you know?
- While often vulgar, culo is a legitimate technical term used by potters and cooks to describe the base of a vessel or pot.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone a culero can be a severe insult meaning someone is a coward or a jerk, though in some specific Mexican slang contexts, it can actually be used among friends to mean someone is 'tough' or 'badass'.
- In Spain, the phrase con el culo al aire literally means 'with the bottom in the air' but is used to describe someone who is completely unprotected or in a precarious situation.
Examples in context
- Ayer me caí y me quedó un moretón en la pompa.Yesterday I fell and got a bruise on my butt.
- Me duele el culo de tanto estar sentado.My butt hurts from sitting so much.
- Se cayó de culo en la calle.He fell on his butt in the street.
- El cojín es para proteger el culo.The cushion is to protect your butt.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are discussing a long bike ride.
- Mateo¿Cómo estás después del viaje en bici?How are you after the bike trip?
- SofíaMe duele mucho el culo.My butt hurts a lot.
- MateoDeberías usar un asiento más suave.You should use a softer seat.
- SofíaTienes razón, Mateo.You are right, Mateo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry culo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
