German word

wohnen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈvoːnən/

Meaning

  • verblive

Example

Wir wohnen in einer kleinen Wohnung.

We live in a small flat.

Illustration for wohnen (live)

More examples

Viele Studenten wohnen zur Miete.

Many students live in rented accommodation.

Core concept

A home base where someone keeps daily life, belongings, and regular routines.

Common phrases

  • wohnen in Deutschland

    live in Germany

  • wohnen auf dem Land

    live in the countryside

  • wohnen zur Miete

    live in rented accommodation

Similar words

leben: Carry on daily life, covering both ordinary living and being alive.
bleiben: Stay in one place instead of leaving or moving elsewhere.
übernachten: Stay somewhere for one night before moving on.
umziehen: Change residence by moving into a new home or room.

Definition in German

An einem Ort dauerhaft wohnen und dort den Alltag verbringen.

Word origin

Wohnen continues Old High German and Middle High German wonen, inherited Germanic forms meaning to dwell in a place.

Usage tips

  • A residential location normally follows in with the dative, as in in einer kleinen Wohnung wohnen.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word