culo
Words nearby culo
ABOUT THIS WORD
What else does culo mean?
Content warning: this article includes profanity and vulgar language.
Culo is a vulgar word in Spanish literally meaning “butt” or “ass,” used in a range of coarse idiomatic expressions.
The term is also a milder colloquial term for “butt” in Italian.
Where does culo come from?
Long evidenced as a vulgarity in Spanish, culo is said to derive from the Latin culus, āanus,ā extended to ābuttā or āassā in Spanishāas well as in Italian.
Culo appears in many Spanish-language idioms colloquially translating to the English sense of āgetting screwed over.ā One expression is dejar al alguien con el culo al aire, literally āto leave someone with their ass in the airā but having the sense of āto leave someone stranded.ā
Other notable Spanish culo expressions insult someoneās intelligence or appearance, including tonto del culo (āfucking idiotā) or cara de culo (āass-faceā). Culo also appears in coarse slang dealing with anal sex or āassā as a female sexual object.
While culo is generally negative in Spanish, it can be more positive in Italian, as in the expression Che culo!, or How lucky! or Lucky bastard! Having a well-fed posterior, apparently, was historically a sign of success in Italian culture.
How is culo used in real life?
Culo is used by Spanish speakers across the globe, including in the U.S., but is especially found in Latin America, including Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Some bilingual speakers will code-switch between English and Spanish when using culo, incorporating the common slang term in an otherwise English-language utterance or sentence.
In 2004, Cuban-descended rapper Pitbull released a song, āCulo,ā featuring Lil Jon. The track praises a woman shaking her culo on the dance floor.
While widely used in many idioms, the Spanish culo is also considered very rude. El trasero or las nalgas (ābuttocksā) are more polite ways to refer to the buttocks in Spanish. The Italian culo also appears in idioms besides che chulo, including faccia da culo, āass-face,ā cheekily describing someone as brazen. Culo is considered informal, and occasionally profane, in Italian contexts. Consider using le natiche (ābuttocksā) in formal settings.
Note
This content is not meant to be a formal definition of this term. Rather, it is an informal summary that seeks to provide supplemental information and context important to know or keep in mind about the termās history, meaning, and usage.
How to use culo in a sentence
I learned that "culo" meant ass, and made sure to ask Joel, a cook, if there was a problem when I caught him eyeing mine.
Anthony Bourdain and Top Chef Have It Wrong: the Boysā Club Is No Fun|Tracie McMillan|March 2, 2012|DAILY BEASTThe modern Italians say of a man of this stamp, Egli ha cotto il culo ne' ceci rossi.
The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus|Caius Valerius CatullusDonna, si fili et cadeti lo fuso,Quando ti pieghi, tieni lo culo chiuso.
Shakespeare Jest-Books;|Unknown