Memory Play Notes

Imagine being new to the English language and learning that “badonkadonk” is a suitable alternative for “buttocks” in the right context. Now imagine the sheer possibilities contained within all the other words for butt around the world. The fundament is a fundamentally ripe area for verbal creativity. It’s a treasure trove of vocabulary rivaling any pirate’s booty.

We don’t all speak each other’s languages, but there’s no need for anyone to feel left behind. If you’re a fan of fanny speak, here are some new words you can throw in your trunk — for like, good luck and stuff.

Other Words For Butt Around The World

French

Le cul — A pretty standard butt word in French that also makes you think twice about the word cul-de-sac.

Le derrière — You’ve probably used this one in English before. Use this if you’re trying to be polite.

Le séant — This is an old-fashioned term often used in a bourgeoisie context, as in “le royal séant.”

Le popotin — “Butt,” but for children and/or someone you’re on nickname basis with.

Les miches — Literally “bread loaves,” but also slang for “buns.”

Les parties charnues — “The fleshy parts.”

English

Arse — “Arse” is the British (and Australian, and Kiwi) equivalent to the American “ass.” As with most things British versus American, “arse” is a much older way to refer to the buttocks that tracks all the way back to Old Germanic roots. “Ass” used to solely refer to the animal, but it became a butt word in the 19th century, mostly in the United States. Believe it or not, though, “arse” used to be a polite word.

Blurter — An Australian English invention derived from “blurt,” or “to emit breath eruptively.”

Spanish

El culo — This is your standard textbook definition for “ass,” and you can make it cuter by saying it in its diminutive form, el culito. Spanish is also chock full of regionalisms, which brings us to…

Las nachas — This is a term you’ll hear in Mexican Spanish that’s actually a play on words that’s derived from las nalgas, which is common in Latin America. Tread carefully when you’re ordering nachos for the table.

El poto — Used primarily in Argentina, Chile and Peru.

Las posaderas — Common throughout Latin America.

El fuiche — More common in the Dominican Republic.

Yiddish

Tuchus — You’ve heard of schmuck. You’ve heard of schvitz. Now, you can pepper your speech with tuchus too.

German

Der Arsch — This is the German equivalent of “arse.” Remember, German and English are offshoots of the same ancient language, and “arse” is a tale as old as time. This might seem straightforward and tame, but there’s a lot you can do with one basic bit of vocabulary.

Der Hintern — For when referring to someone’s “backside” or “seat” might be more appropriate (most likely in the context of a kick or a smack?).

Sitzfleisch — Literally “seat meat.” This is obviously a much less sexy word, as it has a double meaning associated with sitting at your desk buried deep in work, but it’s generally meant as a compliment for someone who’s got staying power and concentration.

Turkish

Popo — This has absolutely nothing to do with the police and everything to do with one’s lawful booty.

Göt — If you’re feeling more vulgar, this word derives from an Ottoman Turkish word for “back of a pack animal.”

Korean

엉덩이 (eongdeong-i) — A general, all-purpose term to serve most of your “butt” needs.

궁둥이 (gungdung-i) — A more colloquial term that refers to the “cheeks.”

Portuguese

Bumbum — Not to be confused with the titular Tom Green song (which was popular for some reason?), bumbum is a cute word for your bumbum in Portuguese.

Nádegas — A “booty” or a “rump,” if you will.

Bunda — In Brazil, you may also hear other words for butt than you would in Europe. Bunda is one of them.

Chinese

屁股 (pìgu) — This is probably the most common term for “ass” you’ll encounter in Mandarin.

屎窟 (shǐ kū) — This Cantonese term literally translates to “excrement cave.” It’s not really for polite company.

Italian

Il culo — As in French and Spanish, Italian has a culo as well.

Le natiche — For a slightly more old-school, poetic flair (think: “fundament”).

Polish

Cztery litery — Literally “four letters.” Why four letters? Because dupa, another common word for “butt,” has four letters. Dupa might be considered somewhat offensive to the elderly, which explains the euphemism.

Some other words for butt in Polish: zadek, zad, pupa, kuper

Russian

Задница (zadnitsa) — This word blends the connotations of “behind” and “ass.”

Попа (popa) — Попа or, in its diminutive form, попка (popka), is the word you’d use around children or your beloveds.

Жопа (zhopa) — A slightly more crass variation.