pH and pOH are values derived from the concentration of either [H+] or [OH-] which generally describe the acidity or basicity of the solution. It is the -log of the concentration of H+ and OH- present in the solution. The sum of pH and pOH is equivalent to 14.
We can summarize the relationship as follows:
pH + pOH = 14
pH = -log [H+]
pOH = -log [OH-]
For pH = 12
pOH = 14 - 12
pOH = 2
pH = -log [H+] = 12
[H+] = 10^(-12)
[H+] = 1.0x10^-12
pOH = -log [OH-] = 2
[OH-] = 10^(-2)
[OH-] = 1.0x10^-2 = 0.01
SInce [OH-] > [H+], the solution is therefore basic.
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