das Haus
house (building) · home
Haus means 'house' or 'home'. It refers to a building where people live, but also to the concept of home. Germans use it in many fixed phrases like 'zu Hause' (at home) and 'nach Hause' (homeward).
What Haus means
- house (building) — when referring to a physical building
- home — in phrases like 'zu Hause' or 'nach Hause'
Heard in real German videos
Lines where Haus was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Lis möchte lieber zu Hause bleiben.Lis would rather stay home.
- Und jetzt bringe ich euch mal nach Hause.And now I'll take you home.
- Ein Wohnmobil ist ein Haus auf Rädern.A camper is a house on wheels.
Example sentences
- Das Haus ist groß.The house is big.
- Ich bin zu Hause.I am at home.
- Wir gehen nach Hause.We are going home.
- Sie wohnen in einem alten Haus.They live in an old house.
Grammar
| Gender | neuter |
|---|---|
| Plural | die Häuser |
| Genitive | des Hauses |
| Declension note | In dative singular, often 'Hause' in fixed phrases like 'zu Hause', 'nach Hause' |
The dative singular form 'Hause' is used only in fixed expressions; otherwise 'Haus'.
Common phrases
- zu Hauseat home
- nach Hausehome (direction)
- Haus auf Rädernhouse on wheels (camper)
The mistake English speakers make
Confusing 'zu Hause' (at home, location) with 'nach Hause' (home, direction). Use 'zu Hause' with verbs of location (sein, bleiben) and 'nach Hause' with verbs of motion (gehen, fahren).
Don’t confuse it with
- die Wohnung — Wohnung is an apartment/flat, while Haus is a house (building).
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between 'zu Hause' and 'nach Hause'?
'Zu Hause' means 'at home' and is used with verbs of location (e.g., 'Ich bin zu Hause'). 'Nach Hause' means 'home' as a direction and is used with verbs of motion (e.g., 'Ich gehe nach Hause').
What is the plural of 'Haus'?
The plural is 'Häuser' (die Häuser).
Why do we say 'zu Hause' with an -e?
The -e is a remnant of the old dative singular ending for neuter and masculine nouns. It is only used in fixed expressions like 'zu Hause' and 'nach Hause'.