der
Butt
🐟 What exactly is a Butt?
The German word der Butt is a masculine noun referring to a specific type of flatfish (Plattfisch). Depending on the region and context, it can specifically mean the turbot (Steinbutt - Scophthalmus maximus) or generally various types of flatfish from the order Pleuronectiformes, such as the flounder (Flunder).
It's primarily a term used in zoology and fishing/cuisine. Since it's a type of fish, the article is masculine: 'der'.
🚨 Attention: The German word 'der Butt' has nothing to do with the English word 'butt' (posterior)! It's a classic 'false friend'.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Fish → almost always masculine.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Butt
The noun 'Butt' is masculine. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Butt |
| Genitive | des | Butt(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Butt(e) |
| Accusative | den | Butt |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Butte |
| Genitive | der | Butte |
| Dative | den | Butten |
| Accusative | die | Butte |
💬 Example Sentences
- Der Fischer zog einen großen Butt aus dem Netz. (The fisherman pulled a large butt/flounder/turbot out of the net.)
- Im Restaurant bestellten wir gebratenen Butt mit Salzkartoffeln. (At the restaurant, we ordered fried butt/flounder/turbot with boiled potatoes.)
- Das Merkmal des Buttes ist sein flacher Körperbau. (The characteristic of the butt/flounder/turbot is its flat body structure.)
- Die Augen der Butte wandern im Laufe ihrer Entwicklung auf eine Körperseite. (The eyes of the butt/flounder/turbot migrate to one side of the body during their development.)
💡 How 'der Butt' is Used
'Der Butt' is mainly used in the following contexts:
- Zoology/Biology: To denote specific flatfish species, especially turbot (Steinbutt).
- Fishing & Angling: Fishermen and anglers talk about 'Butt' when they catch these fish.
- Gastronomy & Cooking: As a food fish on menus or in recipes (e.g., 'Gebratener Butt' - fried flounder/turbot).
- Literature & Fairy Tales: Known from the Grimm brothers' fairy tale 'The Fisherman and His Wife' ('Vom Fischer und seiner Frau'), where an enchanted Butt grants wishes.
It's a rather specific term and less part of everyday colloquial language, unless discussing fish or food.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
- For the article 'der': Imagine a fisherman (masculine -> der) catching der Butt. Or: Der Butler serves the Butt (fish, not posterior!) on a plate.
- For the meaning 'flatfish': A Butt lies very flat, or 'butt-flat', on the seabed.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Plattfisch: General term for flat-bodied fish (e.g., Flunder, Scholle, Seezunge, Butt).
- Steinbutt: A specific type of Butt, often considered a delicacy (turbot).
- Flunder: Another type of flatfish (flounder), sometimes regionally also called Butt.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Rundfisch: Fish with a round or oval body cross-section (e.g., cod/Dorsch, salmon/Lachs, trout/Forelle) - the opposite of Plattfisch.
⚠️ Risk of Confusion:
- Scholle: Another popular flatfish (plaice), often confused with Butt or Flunder, but it's a distinct species.
- English 'butt': As mentioned, this means 'posterior' and is a common pitfall for learners (false friend).
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Fisch den anderen: "Warum schwimmst du denn so schief?" Antwortet der Butt: "Ich bin eben nicht ganz auf der Höhe, eher platt!" 😉
Translation: One fish asks another: "Why are you swimming so crookedly?" The Butt replies: "I'm just not quite up to par, rather flat!" (play on words: 'platt sein' can mean 'to be broke/exhausted/flabbergasted', and also literally 'flat').
✍️ Poem about the Butt
Am Meeresgrund, ganz tief und platt,
liegt still und leis der werte Butt.
Mit Augen oben, gut getarnt,
hat er den Fischer oft gewarnt.
Doch kommt er auf den Tisch sodann,
als Delikatesse, frisch vom Fang.
Der Butt, ein Fisch, besonders fein,
so soll es auch im Märchen sein.
Translation:
On the seabed, deep and flat,
lies still and quiet the valued Butt.
With eyes above, well camouflaged,
it often warned the fisherman off.
But then it comes upon the table,
a delicacy, freshly caught, enabled.
The Butt, a fish, especially fine,
as it should be in fairytale design.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich liege flach und schau nach oben,
bin im Märchen hoch erhoben.
Als Fisch bin ich bekannt im Meer,
mein männlicher Artikel ist 'der'.
Wer bin ich?
Translation:
I lie flat and look above,
In fairy tales, I'm praised with love.
As a fish, I'm known in the sea,
My masculine article is 'der', you see.
Who am I?
... Der Butt
💡 Trivia about der Butt
- Fairy Tale Fame: Der Butt gained particular fame through the Grimm's fairy tale 'The Fisherman and His Wife' ('Vom Fischer und seiner Frau'), where it appears as an enchanted prince granting wishes.
- Culinary Significance: Turbot (Steinbutt) especially is considered a noble fish and highly prized in upscale cuisine.
- Etymology: The name 'Butt' has Old Germanic origins and is related to words meaning 'blunt' or 'flat', alluding to the fish's body shape.
- False Friend Alert: Remember that German 'der Butt' is a fish, while English 'butt' refers to the posterior. Don't mix them up!
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Butt?
The word 'Butt' for the flatfish is always masculine in German, so the correct article is 'der Butt'. Think of the fisherman ('der Mann') or the well-known 'Steinbutt' (turbot).