German word

Elternhaus

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈɛltɐnˌhaʊ̯s/

Meaning

  • neuter nounparents' house

Example

Am Wochenende fahre ich ins Elternhaus.

At the weekend, I go to my parents' house.

Illustration for Elternhaus (parents' house)

More examples

Seit dem Studium wohnt er nicht mehr im Elternhaus.

Since starting university, he no longer lives in his parents' house.

Core concept

The home that remains a person's family base while adulthood may take them elsewhere.

Common phrases

  • ins Elternhaus fahren

    go to one's parents' house

  • im Elternhaus aufwachsen

    grow up in one's parents' house

  • zum Elternhaus zurückkehren

    return to one's parents' house

Similar words

Zuhause: The home where someone normally lives and feels at ease.
Wohnung: A self-contained living space in a larger building, with rooms such as a kitchen and bathroom.
Haus: A single building designed for people to live in.
Heimat: A place of origin and upbringing that inspires a feeling of belonging.

Definition in German

Elternhaus bezeichnet das Wohnhaus der eigenen Eltern; im weiteren Sinn auch das Haus, in dem man aufgewachsen ist.

Word origin

The compound joins Eltern, meaning parents, with Haus, meaning house, and its extended sense comes from the home where someone grew up.

Usage tips

  • Elternhaus can refer to a childhood home even when the parents no longer live there, so it is not limited to their current residence.

Related words

  • Elternteilparentnoun
  • elterlichparentaladjective
  • Elternabendparents' eveningnoun

Word lists with this word