Heim und Herd

/haɪm ʊnt hɛʁt/
domestic life and family

Sie hat ihr ganzes Leben dem Heim und Herd gewidmet.

She has dedicated her entire life to domestic life and family.


What It Really Means
The traditional domestic sphere, emphasizing family life, household duties, and the home as a central focus.
Literal Meaning
Home and hearth
Literal Breakdown
Heimhome+undand+Herdhearth
Mental Image
A warm, cozy home where family life is centered around the hearth, symbolizing stability and tradition.
When to Use
A discussion about societal expectations of women in the 1950s, where staying home to manage the household was the norm.
Cultural Note
This phrase reflects the traditional German and European values that emphasized the importance of the home and family as the foundation of society.
informal

The traditional domestic sphere, emphasizing family life, household duties, and the home as a central focus.

In den 1950er Jahren war das Ideal von Heim und Herd weit verbreitet.

In the 1950s, the ideal of home and hearth was widely accepted.

This phrase often carries connotations of traditional gender roles and societal expectations.

Related Phrases

Hausmannphrase
househusband

Pro Tip

Cultural Context

This phrase is deeply rooted in traditional German and European values, often associated with the post-World War II era.

Gold Rule

Usage

Avoid using this phrase in contexts that might imply outdated gender roles unless intentionally referencing historical norms.

Word Origin

Derived from the German words 'Heim' (home) and 'Herd' (hearth), reflecting the central role of the home in traditional German culture.

Usage Notes

This phrase is often used in discussions about gender roles, societal expectations, and the balance between work and family life.

Word Breakdown

Heim
home
root
+
und
and
conjunction
+
Herd
hearth
root
Deutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch