wohnen

/ˈvoːnən/
to live

Ich wohne in Berlin.

I live in Berlin.


general

To reside or live in a place, especially as a permanent or long-term resident.

Sie wohnt seit fünf Jahren in München.

She has lived in Munich for five years.

Wohnst du allein oder mit deiner Familie?

Do you live alone or with your family?

The verb 'wohnen' is often used to describe where someone lives, including the type of accommodation (e.g., 'in einem Haus' = in a house).

Collocations

in einer Wohnung wohnento live in an apartmentmit jemandem zusammenwohnento live with someoneallein wohnento live alone

Related Phrases

zu Hause wohnenphrase
to live at home
ausziehen und woanders wohnenphrase
to move out and live elsewhere

Pro Tip

Prepositions with 'wohnen'

'Wohnen' is often followed by 'in' (for places) or 'bei' (for people). For example, 'Ich wohne in Berlin' (I live in Berlin) or 'Ich wohne bei meinen Eltern' (I live with my parents).

Gold Rule

Regular Conjugation

'Wohnen' follows standard German verb conjugation rules. For example, 'ich wohne', 'du wohnst', 'er/sie wohnt', etc.

Word Origin

From Middle High German 'wonen', from Old High German 'wonēn', meaning 'to dwell' or 'to stay'. Related to the Old English 'wunian' (to dwell).

Usage Notes

'Wohnen' is a regular verb and is conjugated like other regular German verbs (e.g., 'ich wohne', 'du wohnst', 'er/sie wohnt'). It is often used with prepositions like 'in' (in) or 'bei' (with).

Word Breakdown

wohn
dwelling or residence
root
+
-en
verb suffix indicating action
suffix
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