German word

hausen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈhaʊ̯zən/

Meaning

  • verblive

Example

In der Kanalisation hausen Ratten.

Rats live in the sewers.

Illustration for hausen (live)

More examples

In verfallenen Scheunen hausen oft Fledermäuse.

Bats often live in derelict barns.

Core concept

Rats crowded into a filthy sewer, treating it as a rough dwelling.

Common phrases

  • in feuchten Kellern hausen

    live in damp cellars

  • in verfallenen Scheunen hausen

    live in derelict barns

  • in dunklen Höhlen hausen

    live in dark caves

Similar words

wohnen: Have a settled home in a building or dwelling.
leben: Be alive and carry on daily life.

Definition in German

an einem Ort in großer Zahl oder verwahrlost leben; oft für Tiere oder schlechte Wohnverhältnisse verwendet

Word origin

German hausen is formed from Haus, 'house', and originally referred to living in a house before developing broader and often negative uses.

Usage tips

  • Hausen is usually intransitive and commonly takes in plus the dative for a location, as in in der Kanalisation hausen.

Opposites

  • leerstehenstand vacantverb

Related words

  • behausthousedadjective
  • Behausungdwellingnoun

Word lists with this word