zu Hause
At home
Littéralement: to house
Use 'zu Hause' only when you are already there, never when you are on your way.
En 15 secondes
- Used to say you are currently at your place.
- Pair it with 'sein' or 'bleiben' for location.
- Never use it for movement; use 'nach' instead.
Signification
This phrase is what you say when you are physically inside your own living space. It’s the German way of saying you are 'at home' right now.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Answering a phone call from a friend
Ich bin schon zu Hause.
I am already at home.
Discussing work plans with a colleague
Heute arbeite ich von zu Hause.
Today I am working from home.
Texting a partner about plans
Bleibst du heute Abend zu Hause?
Are you staying at home tonight?
Contexte culturel
In German culture, the home is a private sanctuary rather than a social hub for strangers. The phrase carries a sense of security and 'Feierabend' (the cherished time after work). Historically, the 'zu' in this phrase is a remnant of an old dative case ending, which is why it sounds slightly unique compared to modern grammar.
The Spelling Secret
You can write it as 'zu Hause' or 'zuhause'. Both are 100% correct. Most people use the one-word version in texts because it's faster!
The 'Nach' Trap
Never say 'Ich gehe zu Hause'. That sounds like you are walking in circles inside your living room. Use 'nach Hause' for the journey.
En 15 secondes
- Used to say you are currently at your place.
- Pair it with 'sein' or 'bleiben' for location.
- Never use it for movement; use 'nach' instead.
What It Means
zu Hause is all about your current location. It tells people you are already inside your apartment or house. Think of it as your 'status' on a map. It is a fixed expression. You don't change the words based on the size of the building. Even if you live in a tiny studio, you are zu Hause.
How To Use It
You almost always use this with the verb sein (to be). For example, Ich bin zu Hause. It acts like a single block of information. You can also use it with verbs like bleiben (to stay) or arbeiten (to work). Just remember: it describes a state of being in one place. It is the answer to the question 'Where are you?'
When To Use It
Use it when you answer the phone at your place. Use it when you tell your boss you are working remotely. It’s perfect for texting a friend to say you’ve arrived safely. If you are sitting on your couch with a tea, you are zu Hause. It works for your permanent residence or even a temporary 'home' like a holiday rental.
When NOT To Use It
This is the biggest trap for English speakers! Do NOT use zu Hause if you are moving toward your home. If you are in your car driving there, you use nach Hause. zu is for staying; nach is for moving. Also, don't use it to mean 'house' as a building. That is just das Haus. Don't say 'I see a zu Hause'—that will get you some funny looks!
Cultural Background
Germans take their private space very seriously. The concept of Privatsphäre (privacy) is huge. Being zu Hause is a sacred time for many. It’s where the German Gemütlichkeit (coziness) happens. You usually take your shoes off immediately upon entering. Inviting someone zu Hause is a sign of real friendship. It’s not something Germans do with casual acquaintances quickly.
Common Variations
You will often see it written as one word: zuhause. Both are correct! In Southern Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, you might hear daheim. It sounds a bit warmer and more traditional. If you want to sound very modern in a text, just write bin da (I'm here) if the context is clear. But zu Hause remains the gold standard for everyone.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is universally understood and works in all social settings. Just be careful not to confuse it with 'nach Hause' when talking about travel.
The Spelling Secret
You can write it as 'zu Hause' or 'zuhause'. Both are 100% correct. Most people use the one-word version in texts because it's faster!
The 'Nach' Trap
Never say 'Ich gehe zu Hause'. That sounds like you are walking in circles inside your living room. Use 'nach Hause' for the journey.
The Cozy 'Daheim'
If you visit Bavaria or Austria, use 'daheim'. It makes you sound like a local and adds a layer of warmth and tradition.
Exemples
6Ich bin schon zu Hause.
I am already at home.
Standard use with the verb 'sein'.
Heute arbeite ich von zu Hause.
Today I am working from home.
Commonly used for remote work contexts.
Bleibst du heute Abend zu Hause?
Are you staying at home tonight?
Used with 'bleiben' to indicate staying put.
Es ist so langweilig zu Hause!
It is so boring at home!
Expressing a feeling about the location.
Endlich wieder zu Hause.
Finally back at home.
Short, emotional exclamation.
Ich bin ab 18 Uhr zu Hause erreichbar.
I can be reached at home from 6 PM.
Used to indicate availability at a location.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct phrase to say you are currently in your apartment.
Wo bist du? Ich bin ___.
'zu Hause' indicates your current location, while 'nach Hause' indicates movement toward home.
Complete the sentence about working from home.
Ich arbeite heute von ___ aus.
When referring to the location of work, 'von zu Hause' is the standard expression.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'At Home' Expressions
Shortened for texting
Bin daheim / Bin da
Standard everyday German
Ich bin zu Hause.
Official or literary
An meinem Wohnsitz
When to say 'zu Hause'
Remote Work
Arbeiten von zu Hause
Phone Call
Ich bin gerade zu Hause
Relaxing
Sich zu Hause fühlen
Safe Arrival
Ich bin gut zu Hause angekommen
Questions fréquentes
11 questions'zu Hause' means you are already there (location). 'nach Hause' means you are going there (direction), like in Ich gehe nach Hause.
Usually, no. It specifically refers to your own home. For someone else, say bei [Name] zu Hause or bei ihm/ihr.
Both are correct! The Duden dictionary allows zu Hause and zuhause. Pick one and be consistent.
When capitalized and used with 'das', it becomes a noun meaning 'the home' as a concept, like Ein schönes Zuhause.
It is neutral. You can use it with your best friend or your CEO without any issues.
It is an old German grammar leftover called the 'dative e'. It’s rare now, but it survived in this fixed expression.
Yes, in casual speech, people often drop the 'e'. Ich bin zu Haus sounds very natural and modern.
Not necessarily. It refers to wherever you live, whether it's an apartment, a house, or a van.
You say Ich fühle mich wie zu Hause. It’s a very common way to tell a host you are comfortable.
It's a regional variation common in Southern Germany. It means the exact same thing as zu Hause but feels a bit more 'homely'.
Using 'in' instead of 'zu'. English speakers often say Ich bin in Hause, which is grammatically incorrect in German.
Expressions liées
nach Hause
Going home (direction)
daheim
At home (regional/cozy)
das Zuhause
The home (noun)
Hausaufgaben
Homework
Haustier
Pet (lit. house animal)
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