das  Hinterteil

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈhɪntɐˌtaɪl/

🧐 What exactly is 'Hinterteil'?

The German word das Hinterteil (noun, neuter) means the rear part or back end of something. It can refer to:

• The posterior or buttocks of humans and animals. In this context, it's often somewhat colloquial or diminutive (similar to bottom or butt), but can also be used neutrally.
• The rear section of an object, vehicle, or building (e.g., das Hinterteil eines Autos - the rear end of a car, das Hinterteil eines Wurms - the back end of a worm).

It's a compound word formed from hinter (adverb/preposition for 'behind') and Teil (noun for 'part' or 'section').

📊 Grammar & Declension of 'das Hinterteil'

The word "Hinterteil" is a neuter noun. It always takes the article das.

Declension

Example Sentences

1. Der Hund wedelte aufgeregt mit seinem Hinterteil.
   (The dog wagged its rear end excitedly.)
2. Er rutschte auf dem Eis aus und landete auf seinem Hinterteil.
   (He slipped on the ice and landed on his bottom.)
3. Das Hinterteil des Flugzeugs wurde beim Start beschädigt.
   (The rear part of the airplane was damaged during takeoff.)

🗣️ How to Use 'Hinterteil'?

The usage of "Hinterteil" depends on the context:

• Colloquial/Humorous: When referring to people or animals, it's often informal. It's less crude than Arsch (ass), but less formal or medical than Gesäß (buttocks/posterior) or Glutealregion (gluteal region). Example: "Pass auf, dein Hinterteil ragt über den Stuhl!" (Watch out, your rear end is sticking out over the chair!)
• Neutral/Descriptive: When describing the rear part of objects, the usage is neutral. Example: "Das Hinterteil des Busses ist rot lackiert." (The rear end of the bus is painted red.)
• Biological/Zoological: Can also be used in neutral descriptions of animals. Example: "Das Hinterteil der Biene enthält den Stachel." (The rear part of the bee contains the stinger.)

Comparison with other German words:

• Gesäß: More formal, often in medical or anatomical contexts.
• Po/Popo: Very colloquial, often childish or diminutive (like 'bum' or 'botty').
• Steiß: Specifically refers to the coccyx or tailbone area, not the entire posterior.
• Rückseite: More like 'back side' or 'reverse side', usually for objects or non-anatomical contexts.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article (das)

Think: The 'Teil' (part) that is 'hinter' (behind) is neutral, just a part of the whole. Many nouns ending in '-teil' are neuter (das Teil), so das Hinterteil fits the pattern.

Meaning (rear part)

Imagine someone 'hinting' (sounds like 'hinter') that you should look at the 'tail' end (sounds like 'Teil') of something. That's the Hinterteil - the back part.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Note: The choice of synonym heavily depends on the context (formal vs. informal, human/animal vs. object).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette nie am Rennen teil?

Sie haben kein Herz dafür... und auch kein richtiges Hinterteil zum Anfeuern! 😉

(Why do skeletons never take part in the race?
They don't have the heart for it... and also no proper rear end to cheer with!)

📜 A Short Poem

Ob groß, ob klein, ob rund, ob flach,
jedes Wesen hat's vom Fach.
Mal zum Sitzen, mal zum Wackeln fein,
das Hinterteil, muss das so sein?
Es folgt dir treu auf Schritt und Tritt,
nimmt beim Hinfallen den größten Hit.

(Whether large or small, round or flat,
every creature has it, like that.
Sometimes for sitting, sometimes for a wiggle so fine,
the rear end, must it be this design?
It follows you faithfully, step by step,
takes the biggest hit when you misstep.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin der Teil, der meist zuletzt erscheint,
auf dem man sitzt, wenn man bequem sich meint.
Bei Mensch und Tier bin ich bekannt,
mal zwickt's mich, wenn man ungünstig land'.

Was bin ich?

(I'm the part that usually appears last,
on which one sits, when comfort is amassed.
In humans and animals, I am known,
sometimes I get pinched, when awkwardly thrown.

What am I?)

(Answer: das Hinterteil / the rear end)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition

"Hinterteil" is a clear example of a German compound noun (Kompositum):

• hinter: Indicates position (behind, rear).
• Teil: Means 'part' or 'section'.

Together, it logically forms the "rear part". The article "das" is determined by the base word "Teil" (das Teil - the part).