At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'Heimweh' means 'homesickness'. You should learn the simple phrase 'Ich habe Heimweh' (I have homesickness/I am homesick). This is useful if you are traveling or living in Germany for the first time. You might hear people ask 'Hast du Heimweh?' (Are you homesick?). It is a neuter noun, so it is 'das Heimweh'. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on the idea that 'Heim' means home and 'Weh' is like 'ouch' or pain. It is a very common word for children or students who are away from their parents for the first time. You can use it in very short sentences to explain why you might be feeling sad or why you want to call your family. Remember: in German, we 'have' homesickness, we are not 'homesick' as an adjective.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'Heimweh' with more verbs and simple adjectives. You might say 'Ich habe großes Heimweh' (I have great homesickness) or 'Er bekommt Heimweh' (He is getting homesick). You can also use it with the preposition 'nach' to say what you are homesick for, like 'Heimweh nach meiner Familie' (homesickness for my family). At this level, you should be able to understand the word in short stories or simple news reports about people moving to new places. You should also recognize the word 'Heimat' (homeland), which is the root of 'Heimweh'. It's helpful to know that 'Heimweh haben' is the standard way to express this feeling. You might also encounter the word in songs or simple poems about missing one's village or city.
At the B1 level, you should understand 'Heimweh' as an emotional and psychological state. You can use it in more complex sentences, such as 'Obwohl ich Berlin liebe, habe ich manchmal Heimweh' (Although I love Berlin, I sometimes have homesickness). You should be familiar with common collocations like 'Heimweh unterdrücken' (to suppress homesickness) or 'von Heimweh geplagt sein' (to be plagued by homesickness). You can discuss the reasons for homesickness and how to overcome it. This level involves being able to talk about your own experiences with moving or traveling and how 'Heimweh' affected you. You should also be aware of the opposite word, 'Fernweh' (longing for far-off places), and be able to compare the two feelings in a conversation or a short essay.
At the B2 level, you can use 'Heimweh' to discuss broader social and cultural issues. You might talk about the 'Heimweh' of refugees or immigrants and how it affects their integration into a new society. You should be able to use the word in different grammatical cases, such as the genitive: 'Trotz seines starken Heimwehs blieb er in den USA' (Despite his strong homesickness, he stayed in the USA). You can also use more sophisticated verbs like 'verspüren' (to feel/sense) or 'hervorrufen' (to evoke). You should understand the historical and literary significance of the word in German culture, particularly during the Romantic period. You can explain the difference between 'Heimweh', 'Sehnsucht', and 'Nostalgie' in detail, using precise vocabulary to describe the nuances of these emotions.
At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'Heimweh' as a theme in literature, philosophy, and psychology. You can analyze how authors like Thomas Mann or Hermann Hesse used the concept of 'Heimweh' to explore identity and belonging. You should be comfortable using the word in academic or professional discussions, perhaps regarding 'Expat-Management' or 'Kulturschock'. You can use idiomatic expressions and complex sentence structures involving the word. You might explore the idea of 'kollektives Heimweh' (collective homesickness) or 'Heimweh nach einer verlorenen Zeit' (homesickness for a lost time). Your vocabulary should include related terms like 'Entwurzelung' (uprootedness) and you should be able to discuss the psychological mechanisms behind these feelings in a sophisticated manner.
At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of 'Heimweh' and its various connotations. You can appreciate the subtle irony when the word is used in modern contexts or satirical writing. You understand the deep etymological roots and how the word has evolved from a medical diagnosis in the 17th century (when it was considered a physical illness) to a poetic and psychological term today. You can engage in high-level debates about whether 'Heimweh' is a necessary part of the human condition or a construct of specific cultures. You can use the word with total grammatical precision in any context, including highly formal speeches or complex literary critiques. You are also aware of regional variations or rare synonyms and can use the word to add emotional depth and precision to your own writing and speaking.

das Heimweh في 30 ثانية

  • Heimweh is a neuter German noun meaning homesickness, literally 'home-pain'.
  • It is used with the verb 'haben' (Ich habe Heimweh) to express missing home.
  • The word is uncountable and reflects a deep emotional longing for one's roots.
  • Its opposite is 'Fernweh', the longing to travel to distant places.

The German word das Heimweh is a profound compound noun that captures a universal human experience: the emotional distress or longing caused by being away from one's home. Etymologically, it is composed of Heim (home) and Weh (pain, woe, or ache). Unlike the English 'homesickness,' which sometimes carries a clinical or mild connotation, the German term emphasizes the 'pain' aspect, suggesting a deep, almost physical yearning for the familiar surroundings, people, and culture of one's place of origin. It is a state of being where the soul feels displaced. This word is used in a variety of contexts, ranging from a child's first night at summer camp to an expatriate's lifelong struggle with living in a foreign land. It is not merely about missing a house; it is about missing the sense of belonging and the identity that 'Heimat' provides. In German culture, where the concept of Heimat is deeply rooted in history and literature, Heimweh is treated with significant empathy and poetic weight.

Core Concept
The psychological and emotional 'pain' of being separated from one's native environment or family circle.

Sobald das Flugzeug abhob, überfiel ihn ein plötzliches, heftiges Heimweh.

When using this word, Germans often associate it with specific physical symptoms: a tightness in the chest, a lack of appetite, or general lethargy. It is frequently paired with the verb haben (to have) or bekommen (to get). You might hear a mother say her child has Heimweh at a sleepover, or a professional worker discussing the Heimweh they feel after five years abroad. It is a versatile term that bridges the gap between a temporary mood and a chronic condition. Interestingly, the German language also has a famous antonym, Fernweh, which describes the longing for far-away places, showing how central the concept of 'longing' is to the German psyche.

Gegen Heimweh hilft oft nur ein Telefonat mit der Familie.

Cultural Nuance
In Romantic literature, Heimweh was often depicted as a noble suffering, a sign of a deep connection to one's roots.

In modern usage, the word has lost none of its emotional resonance. In the digital age, despite being able to video call anyone instantly, the term Heimweh is still used to describe the lack of physical presence—the smell of a specific bakery, the sound of a local dialect, or the unique light of a northern autumn. It is a word that acknowledges that humans are not just global citizens, but creatures tied to specific geographies and social fabrics. Whether it is a 'stilles Heimweh' (quiet homesickness) or 'unerträgliches Heimweh' (unbearable homesickness), the word allows for a spectrum of emotional intensity.

Trotz der neuen Freunde plagte sie nachts das Heimweh.

Er unterdrückte sein Heimweh, um vor den anderen tapfer zu wirken.

Usage Context
Commonly found in diary entries, travel blogs, psychology articles, and children's stories.

Das Lied weckte in ihr ein tiefes Heimweh nach den Bergen.

Using das Heimweh correctly involves understanding its grammatical behavior as an abstract, uncountable noun. It is always neuter (das). Most commonly, it functions as the direct object of a sentence. The most natural way to express homesickness is with the verb haben (to have). For example, 'Ich habe Heimweh' simply means 'I am homesick.' If the feeling is intense, you can add adjectives like großes, schreckliches, or tiefes. Note that because it is uncountable, you do not use an indefinite article (ein) in simple 'I have' constructions, though you can use it when adding an adjective: 'Ich habe ein schreckliches Heimweh' is possible, though 'Ich habe schreckliches Heimweh' is more common.

Verb Pairings
haben (to have), bekommen (to get), verspüren (to feel/sense), unterdrücken (to suppress), überwinden (to overcome).

Nach drei Wochen im Ausland bekam sie endlich Heimweh.

Another frequent construction involves the preposition vor (because of/from). For instance, 'Er weinte vor Heimweh' (He cried from homesickness). This 'vor' indicates the cause of a physical reaction or emotional state. You can also use the preposition nach (for/towards) to specify exactly what you are homesick for, although usually Heimweh implies the 'home' already. If you want to be specific, you might say 'Heimweh nach Deutschland' or 'Heimweh nach meiner Mutter.' However, for specific objects or people, Germans often prefer the word Sehnsucht (longing), e.g., 'Sehnsucht nach meiner Mutter.'

Viele Soldaten litten während des Krieges an schwerem Heimweh.

Prepositional Usage
vor Heimweh (due to homesickness), aus Heimweh (out of homesickness), trotz Heimweh (despite homesickness).

In more formal or literary German, you might see Heimweh as the subject of a sentence, often personified. 'Das Heimweh packte ihn' (Homesickness grabbed him) or 'Das Heimweh verging langsam' (The homesickness slowly faded). In these cases, the word acts as an active force. For learners at the B1 level, mastering the simple 'haben' and 'bekommen' structures is essential, while C1 learners should look into using it with verbs like 'plagen' (to plague) or 'hervorrufen' (to evoke/cause).

Sie konnte ihr Heimweh nicht länger verbergen.

Das Heimweh war stärker als die Abenteuerlust.

Adjective Combinations
akutes Heimweh (acute), chronisches Heimweh (chronic), heimliches Heimweh (secret).

Welches Medikament hilft eigentlich gegen Heimweh?

You will encounter das Heimweh in a wide variety of social and cultural settings. One of the most common places is in family life. Parents often discuss their children's Heimweh when they go on school trips (Klassenfahrten) or visit grandparents for the weekend. Teachers and camp counselors are frequently on the lookout for signs of Heimweh among their charges. In these contexts, the word is used with a sense of care and concern. It is a recognized emotional hurdle that young people must learn to navigate as part of growing up.

Everyday Conversations
'Hat er Heimweh?' (Is he homesick?) or 'Ich kriege langsam Heimweh.' (I'm starting to get homesick.)

Im Ferienlager hatten viele Kinder abends Heimweh.

Another significant domain for this word is in the experience of migrants, refugees, and expatriates. In Germany, a country with a large population of people with migration backgrounds, Heimweh is a common topic in community centers, therapy sessions, and literature. It describes the bittersweet feeling of building a new life while mourning the old one. You will find it in newspapers and documentaries discussing the 'Gastarbeiter' generation or modern digital nomads. It is also a staple of German 'Schlager' music and folk songs, where themes of returning to one's village or the beauty of the homeland are prevalent. Songs like 'Heimweh' by Freddy Quinn (a massive hit in the 1950s) cemented the word's place in the German pop-cultural canon.

Das Lied 'Brennend heißer Wüstensand' handelt vom großen Heimweh.

Artistic Contexts
Poems, folk songs, 'Heimatfilme' (homeland films), and nostalgic social media posts.

Furthermore, you will hear Heimweh in professional psychological contexts. Psychologists might discuss 'Heimweh' as a form of separation anxiety or a factor in 'adjustment disorder.' In travel blogs and forums, it is discussed as a hurdle to overcome for long-term travelers. Even in corporate settings, when discussing 'relocation packages,' HR departments might consider the impact of Heimweh on employee retention. It is a word that appears wherever the human heart is far from its roots.

Selbst nach Jahren in New York verspürt er manchmal Heimweh nach seinem Dorf.

Gibt es eine App, die gegen Heimweh hilft?

Literary Usage
Classic German literature often uses Heimweh to describe the 'Romantische Sehnsucht' (Romantic longing) for a lost golden age.

In seinem Tagebuch schrieb er oft über sein quälendes Heimweh.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is trying to use Heimweh as an adjective. In English, you say 'I am homesick.' In German, you cannot say 'Ich bin heimweh.' Since Heimweh is a noun, you must use a verb like haben. The correct phrasing is Ich habe Heimweh. Another common error is confusing Heimweh with Fernweh. While they both involve a 'longing' (Weh), they are opposites. Heimweh is the desire to go home; Fernweh is the desire to travel to far-off places. Using the wrong one can lead to comical misunderstandings about whether you want to leave or stay.

Grammar Mistake
Incorrect: Ich bin heimweh. Correct: Ich habe Heimweh.

Verwechsle nie Heimweh mit Fernweh, sonst landest du am falschen Ort!

Another nuance is the gender. Some learners assume it might be masculine because 'Schmerz' (pain) is masculine. However, Heimweh is neuter: das Heimweh. This affects the endings of any adjectives you use. It is starkes Heimweh (neuter ending) not starker Heimweh. Additionally, learners often struggle with the plural. Heimweh is a 'Singularetantum,' meaning it only exists in the singular. You cannot have 'viele Heimwehe.' If you want to describe multiple instances, you would say 'Er hatte oft Heimweh.'

Sie leidet unter starkem Heimweh (Dative case after 'unter').

Preposition Pitfall
Using 'für' instead of 'nach'. Incorrect: Heimweh für mein Land. Correct: Heimweh nach meinem Land.

Finally, learners sometimes use Heimweh when they simply mean they miss someone. While Heimweh can include missing people, it is specifically tied to the 'home' environment. If you just miss your girlfriend, you wouldn't typically say 'Ich habe Heimweh nach meiner Freundin' unless she represents 'home' to you in a very metaphorical way. Usually, you would say 'Ich vermisse meine Freundin.' Heimweh is broader and more environmental.

Er hat kein Heimweh, er vermisst nur sein altes Auto.

Gegen dieses Heimweh ist kein Kraut gewachsen.

Case Usage
Note the Case: Ich habe Heimweh (Accusative). Wegen meines Heimwehs (Genitive).

Wegen seines Heimwehs brach er das Studium ab.

While Heimweh is the most direct term for homesickness, German offers several related words that capture different shades of longing. The most famous is Sehnsucht. Often translated as 'longing' or 'yearning,' Sehnsucht is more general and intense. You can have Sehnsucht for a person, a place, or even an abstract concept like 'freedom.' Heimweh is effectively a specific type of Sehnsucht directed toward home. Another related term is Nostalgie. While Heimweh is a longing for a place you are currently away from, Nostalgie is usually a longing for a past time or a version of a place that no longer exists.

Heimweh vs. Sehnsucht
Heimweh is spatial (missing home); Sehnsucht is emotional/existential (longing for something missing).

Sein Heimweh war eigentlich eine tiefe Sehnsucht nach Geborgenheit.

Then there is the beautiful word Fernweh. As mentioned, this is the exact opposite of Heimweh. It describes the 'pain' of being at home when you want to be out in the world. Interestingly, some people claim to suffer from both simultaneously—the desire to be elsewhere while missing the place they just left. Another alternative is Heimatliebe (love for one's homeland), which is a positive state, whereas Heimweh is the painful absence of that state. In a more clinical or formal setting, you might encounter Heimweh-Symptomatik or simply Anpassungsschwierigkeiten (adjustment difficulties).

Manche verwechseln Nostalgie mit echtem Heimweh.

Heimweh vs. Fernweh
Heimweh = 'I want to go back.' Fernweh = 'I want to go away.'

If you are looking for a more colloquial way to say you miss home, you might say 'Ich will nach Hause' (I want to go home) or 'Ich vermisse mein Zuhause' (I miss my home). These are simpler and less 'heavy' than using the word Heimweh. For poets and writers, terms like Heimatlosigkeit (homelessness/rootlessness) describe the existential state that often follows chronic Heimweh. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the right word for the right emotional depth.

Sie fühlte eine Mischung aus Fernweh und Heimweh.

Das Heimweh lässt sich nicht einfach durch Urlaub kurieren.

Related Terms
Zuhause-Vermissen (informal), Heimatsuch (archaic), Weltschmerz (existential world-pain).

Ist Heimweh eine Form von Melancholie?

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

For a long time, Heimweh was known as the 'Swiss disease' because it was believed that only people from the mountains suffered from it when they descended to the plains.

دليل النطق

UK /ˈhaɪmveː/
US /ˈhaɪmveɪ/
The primary stress is on the first syllable: HEIM-weh.
يتقافى مع
Schnee Tee See Fee Klee weh Reh passé
أخطاء شائعة
  • Pronouncing the 'w' as an English 'w' (it should be a 'v' sound).
  • Pronouncing the 'ei' as 'ee' (it should be 'eye').
  • Shortening the final 'e' too much (it should be long).
  • Missing the 'h' sound at the beginning.
  • Stressing the second syllable 'weh' instead of the first.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 2/5

The word is easy to recognize in texts but often appears in complex literary sentences.

الكتابة 3/5

Remembering to use it as a noun with 'haben' instead of an adjective is the main hurdle.

التحدث 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward once you master the 'v' sound for 'w'.

الاستماع 2/5

It is clearly pronounced and usually easy to catch in spoken German.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

das Haus die Heimat weh tun haben vermissen

تعلّم لاحقاً

das Fernweh die Sehnsucht die Geborgenheit die Nostalgie auswandern

متقدم

die Entfremdung die Melancholie die Weltschmerz die Identitätskrise das Exil

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Nouns ending in -weh are always neuter.

das Heimweh, das Fernweh, das Kopfweh.

Abstract nouns used with 'haben' usually don't take an article.

Ich habe Heimweh (Not: Ich habe das Heimweh).

The preposition 'nach' always takes the Dative case.

Heimweh nach meinem Bruder.

Genitive case for 'das Heimweh' adds an 's'.

Infolge seines Heimwehs.

Adjectives before uncountable nouns take strong endings.

Starkes Heimweh (Nominative/Accusative Neuter).

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

Ich habe Heimweh.

I have homesickness.

Simple subject + verb + noun construction.

2

Hast du Heimweh nach Hause?

Do you have homesickness for home?

Question form with 'nach' + Dative.

3

Das Kind weint vor Heimweh.

The child is crying from homesickness.

Preposition 'vor' indicates cause.

4

Ich telefoniere gegen das Heimweh.

I am calling on the phone against the homesickness.

'Gegen' + Accusative.

5

Mein Heimweh ist weg.

My homesickness is gone.

Using 'weg' as an adverbial predicate.

6

Wir haben kein Heimweh.

We have no homesickness.

Negation with 'kein'.

7

Heimweh ist nicht schön.

Homesickness is not nice.

Abstract noun as subject.

8

Mama, ich habe Heimweh!

Mama, I'm homesick!

Direct address.

1

Er bekommt oft Heimweh im Urlaub.

He often gets homesick on vacation.

Use of 'bekommen' to show the start of a feeling.

2

Hast du Heimweh nach deiner Mutter?

Are you homesick for your mother?

'Nach' + Dative (deiner Mutter).

3

Ich habe ein bisschen Heimweh.

I have a little bit of homesickness.

Adverbial quantifier 'ein bisschen'.

4

Gegen Heimweh hilft Schokolade.

Chocolate helps against homesickness.

Inverted sentence order for emphasis.

5

Sie schreibt Briefe gegen das Heimweh.

She writes letters against the homesickness.

Prepositional object.

6

Das Heimweh ist heute sehr stark.

The homesickness is very strong today.

Adjective 'stark' modifying the noun.

7

Warum hast du Heimweh?

Why are you homesick?

Interrogative sentence.

8

Ich habe Heimweh nach meinem Hund.

I am homesick for my dog.

Specific object of longing.

1

Trotz der neuen Freunde plagte sie das Heimweh.

Despite the new friends, homesickness plagued her.

'Trotz' + Genitive; 'plagen' as an active verb.

2

Wenn ich diese Musik höre, bekomme ich Heimweh.

When I hear this music, I get homesick.

Conditional 'wenn' clause.

3

Er unterdrückte sein Heimweh, um nicht schwach zu wirken.

He suppressed his homesickness so as not to appear weak.

'Um...zu' infinitive construction.

4

Das Heimweh nach der Heimat war unerträglich.

The homesickness for the homeland was unbearable.

Adjective 'unerträglich' (unbearable).

5

Viele Auswanderer leiden anfangs unter Heimweh.

Many emigrants suffer from homesickness at first.

'Leiden unter' + Dative.

6

Kann man Heimweh eigentlich heilen?

Can homesickness actually be cured?

Modal verb 'können' + passive-like 'man' construction.

7

Ihr Heimweh verging, als sie die Stadt besser kennenlernte.

Her homesickness passed as she got to know the city better.

Temporal 'als' clause (past tense).

8

Ich habe kein Heimweh, ich habe Fernweh!

I'm not homesick, I have itchy feet (longing for distance)!

Contrast between antonyms.

1

Das Heimweh ist ein zentrales Thema in der deutschen Romantik.

Homesickness is a central theme in German Romanticism.

Academic context, 'zentrales Thema'.

2

Er verspürte ein tiefes Heimweh nach den Bergen seiner Kindheit.

He felt a deep homesickness for the mountains of his childhood.

Verb 'verspüren' (more formal than 'haben').

3

Wegen seines chronischen Heimwehs kehrte er vorzeitig zurück.

Because of his chronic homesickness, he returned early.

'Wegen' + Genitive.

4

Die Kinder litten weniger an Heimweh als erwartet.

The children suffered less from homesickness than expected.

Comparison with 'weniger...als'.

5

Heimweh kann physische Schmerzen verursachen.

Homesickness can cause physical pain.

Modal verb + infinitive 'verursachen'.

6

Sie versuchte, ihr Heimweh durch Arbeit zu betäuben.

She tried to numb her homesickness through work.

Infinitive with 'zu' and preposition 'durch'.

7

Das Heimweh ist oft eine Sehnsucht nach einer idealisierten Vergangenheit.

Homesickness is often a longing for an idealized past.

Defining the concept philosophically.

8

Gibt es einen Unterschied zwischen Heimweh und Nostalgie?

Is there a difference between homesickness and nostalgia?

Question about semantic differences.

1

Das quälende Heimweh raubte ihm nachts den Schlaf.

The agonizing homesickness robbed him of his sleep at night.

Dative object 'ihm' + Accusative 'den Schlaf'.

2

In der Fremde wird das Heimweh oft zum ständigen Begleiter.

In a foreign land, homesickness often becomes a constant companion.

Metaphorical usage; 'werden zu'.

3

Seine Briefe zeugen von einem tief verwurzelten Heimweh.

His letters bear witness to a deeply rooted homesickness.

'Zeugen von' + Dative.

4

Man kann das Heimweh als eine Form der Trennungsangst betrachten.

One can consider homesickness as a form of separation anxiety.

'Betrachten als' (to consider as).

5

Das Heimweh lässt sich nicht durch bloße Ablenkung beseitigen.

Homesickness cannot be eliminated through mere distraction.

Reflexive 'lässt sich' as a passive substitute.

6

Oft ist das Heimweh eng mit der Frage nach der eigenen Identität verknüpft.

Often, homesickness is closely linked to the question of one's own identity.

Passive voice with 'verknüpft mit'.

7

Es bedarf großer mentaler Stärke, um das Heimweh zu überwinden.

It requires great mental strength to overcome homesickness.

'Es bedarf' + Genitive.

8

Das Heimweh manifestiert sich bei jedem Menschen anders.

Homesickness manifests differently in every person.

Reflexive verb 'manifestieren'.

1

Das Heimweh fungiert hier als literarisches Motiv für die existenzielle Einsamkeit.

Homesickness functions here as a literary motif for existential loneliness.

High-level literary analysis terminology.

2

Die Pathologisierung des Heimwehs im 17. Jahrhundert ist ein faszinierendes medizinhistorisches Thema.

The pathologization of homesickness in the 17th century is a fascinating topic in medical history.

Complex nominalization.

3

In seinem Exil wurde das Heimweh zu einer treibenden Kraft seines künstlerischen Schaffens.

In his exile, homesickness became a driving force of his artistic creation.

Genitive attribute 'seines künstlerischen Schaffens'.

4

Das Heimweh ist die schmerzhafte Erkenntnis der Unwiederbringlichkeit der Kindheit.

Homesickness is the painful realization of the irretrievability of childhood.

Philosophical definition.

5

Trotz der Globalisierung bleibt das Heimweh eine anthropologische Konstante.

Despite globalization, homesickness remains an anthropological constant.

Social science context.

6

Die Ambivalenz zwischen Fernweh und Heimweh prägt die moderne Reiseliteratur.

The ambivalence between wanderlust and homesickness shapes modern travel literature.

Abstract subject with 'prägen'.

7

Manche Psychologen deuten das Heimweh als regressives Verhalten.

Some psychologists interpret homesickness as regressive behavior.

'Deuten als' (to interpret as).

8

Das Heimweh evoziert Bilder einer Welt, die es so vielleicht nie gegeben hat.

Homesickness evokes images of a world that perhaps never existed in that way.

Relative clause with 'es...gegeben hat'.

تلازمات شائعة

Heimweh haben
großes Heimweh
Heimweh bekommen
Heimweh nach der Heimat
gegen Heimweh helfen
Heimweh unterdrücken
von Heimweh geplagt
akutes Heimweh
das Heimweh überwinden
Heimweh verspüren

العبارات الشائعة

Ein Mittel gegen Heimweh

— A remedy or way to deal with homesickness. Often used metaphorically.

Musik ist oft das beste Mittel gegen Heimweh.

Heimweh haben nach...

— To be homesick for a specific place or person. Standard construction.

Ich habe Heimweh nach meinem eigenen Bett.

Vom Heimweh gepackt werden

— To be suddenly seized by homesickness. Suggests a sudden, strong feeling.

Mitten im Fest wurde er vom Heimweh gepackt.

Heimweh ist heilbar

— A reassuring phrase meaning homesickness will pass. Common in advice.

Keine Sorge, Heimweh ist heilbar, das geht vorbei.

Stilles Heimweh

— A homesickness that one suffers from privately without showing it to others.

Sie trug ein stilles Heimweh in ihrem Herzen.

Heimweh-Attacke

— A sudden, intense burst of homesickness. Colloquial.

Gestern Abend hatte ich eine richtige Heimweh-Attacke.

Gegen das Heimweh ankämpfen

— To struggle or fight against the feeling of being homesick. Active effort.

Er kämpfte tapfer gegen das Heimweh an.

Ein Lied gegen das Heimweh

— A song intended to comfort someone who is homesick. Cultural trope.

Singen wir ein Lied gegen das Heimweh?

Heimweh auslösen

— To trigger or cause homesickness. Used for smells, sounds, or sights.

Der Geruch von frischem Brot löst bei mir Heimweh aus.

Heimweh-Pille

— A metaphorical (or sometimes literal, like candy) 'pill' to cure homesickness.

Hier ist eine Schokolade als Heimweh-Pille für dich.

يُخلط عادةً مع

das Heimweh vs Fernweh

Opposite meaning. Fernweh is the longing to go away; Heimweh is the longing to go home.

das Heimweh vs Sehnsucht

Sehnsucht is a broader longing for anything (love, freedom, etc.), while Heimweh is specifically for home.

das Heimweh vs Nostalgie

Nostalgie is usually a longing for a past time, while Heimweh is a longing for a place you are currently absent from.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"Heimweh nach der Zukunft haben"

— A modern, paradoxical idiom meaning to long for a better future rather than the past.

In dieser schlechten Zeit habe ich Heimweh nach der Zukunft.

literary/modern
"Gegen Heimweh ist kein Kraut gewachsen"

— A variation of a common proverb, suggesting that there is no easy cure for homesickness.

Manchmal hilft gar nichts, gegen dieses Heimweh ist kein Kraut gewachsen.

colloquial/proverbial
"Das Heimweh an den Nagel hängen"

— To decide to stop being homesick and embrace the new place (humorous/informal).

Jetzt hänge ich mein Heimweh an den Nagel und genieße den Urlaub!

informal
"Ein Herz voller Heimweh"

— To be completely consumed by homesickness. Poetic expression.

Er reiste mit einem Herzen voller Heimweh ab.

poetic
"Heimweh-krank sein"

— To be literally 'sick' with homesickness. Often used for extreme cases.

Das Kind war richtig heimwehkrank und wollte nichts essen.

neutral
"Dem Heimweh Raum geben"

— To allow oneself to feel homesick instead of suppressing it. Psychological advice.

Man muss dem Heimweh auch mal Raum geben.

formal/psychological
"Vom Heimweh zerfressen werden"

— To be 'eaten away' or destroyed by intense homesickness. Very dramatic.

Er wurde in der Einsamkeit vom Heimweh zerfressen.

literary
"Heimweh im Gepäck haben"

— To carry homesickness with you while traveling. Metaphorical.

Egal wohin er reiste, er hatte immer ein wenig Heimweh im Gepäck.

neutral
"Heimweh-geplagte Seele"

— A soul tormented by homesickness. High register/poetic.

Er war eine vom Heimweh geplagte Seele.

poetic
"Das Heimweh wegblasen"

— To quickly get rid of homesickness, usually through a fun activity.

Lass uns tanzen gehen und das Heimweh einfach wegblasen!

informal

سهل الخلط

das Heimweh vs Heim

It means 'home' but can also mean 'nursing home' or 'orphanage'.

Heimweh always refers to the emotional longing for one's own home/origin, regardless of the word 'Heim's' other meanings.

Er lebt im Seniorenheim, aber er hat Heimweh nach seinem alten Haus.

das Heimweh vs Weh

It can mean 'pain' or be an exclamation like 'woe'.

In Heimweh, 'weh' is a suffix indicating emotional pain/aching.

Oh weh! Mein Bauch tut weh, und ich habe auch noch Heimweh.

das Heimweh vs Vermissen

It is the verb for 'to miss'.

Vermissen is a general verb. Heimweh is a specific noun for the state of missing home.

Ich vermisse dich, aber ich habe kein Heimweh nach Deutschland.

das Heimweh vs Zuhause

It means 'at home' or 'home' as a noun.

Zuhause is the place; Heimweh is the feeling caused by not being there.

Ich bin gerne zuhause, damit ich kein Heimweh bekomme.

das Heimweh vs Heimat

It means 'homeland'.

Heimat is the concept of where you belong; Heimweh is the longing for that Heimat.

Meine Heimat ist klein, aber mein Heimweh ist groß.

أنماط الجُمل

A1

Ich habe [Adjektiv] Heimweh.

Ich habe großes Heimweh.

A2

Er/Sie hat Heimweh nach [Dativ].

Sie hat Heimweh nach Italien.

B1

Trotz [Genitiv] habe ich Heimweh.

Trotz des Urlaubs habe ich Heimweh.

B1

Gegen Heimweh hilft [Substantiv].

Gegen Heimweh hilft nur Telefonieren.

B2

Das Heimweh wird durch [Akkusativ] ausgelöst.

Das Heimweh wird durch den Song ausgelöst.

B2

Er/Sie verspürt ein [Adjektiv] Heimweh.

Er verspürt ein tiefes Heimweh.

C1

Das Heimweh lässt sich auf [Akkusativ] zurückführen.

Das Heimweh lässt sich auf die Einsamkeit zurückführen.

C2

Das Heimweh manifestiert sich in [Dativ].

Das Heimweh manifestiert sich in seiner Kunst.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

das Heim
die Heimat
das Weh
das Wehwehchen
die Heimkehr

الأفعال

heimkehren
weh tun
vermissen
beheimaten

الصفات

heimwehkrank
heimisch
heimatlos
weh

مرتبط

Fernweh
Sehnsucht
Nostalgie
Geborgenheit
Zuhause

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Common in daily life and very common in emotional/literary contexts.

أخطاء شائعة
  • Ich bin heimweh. Ich habe Heimweh.

    Heimweh is a noun, not an adjective. You cannot 'be' a noun in this context.

  • Ich habe Heimweh für mein Land. Ich habe Heimweh nach meinem Land.

    The preposition 'nach' is used for longing or direction, not 'für'.

  • Mein Heimweh ist sehr starker. Mein Heimweh ist sehr stark.

    When an adjective follows a linking verb like 'sein', it doesn't take an ending.

  • Wegen mein Heimweh... Wegen meines Heimwehs...

    'Wegen' requires the genitive case in standard German.

  • Ich habe viele Heimwehe. Ich habe oft Heimweh.

    Heimweh has no plural form. Use 'oft' or 'viel' to show frequency or intensity.

نصائح

Noun vs Adjective

Never say 'Ich bin heimweh'. In German, homesickness is a thing you possess, not a state you 'are'. Always use 'Ich habe Heimweh'.

The 'Weh' Suffix

Notice that '-weh' appears in other words like Kopfweh (headache) or Bauchweh (stomach ache). It always signals some kind of pain or ache.

Heimat Connection

To understand Heimweh, you must understand 'Heimat'. It's not just a country, but the specific place where you feel you belong. Heimweh is the loss of that feeling.

The German 'W'

Remember the 'w' in 'weh' is pronounced like an English 'v'. 'Heim-vay'. This is a common mistake for English speakers.

Use with 'nach'

Practice using 'nach' + Dative to specify your homesickness. 'Heimweh nach Deutschland', 'Heimweh nach Berlin'.

The Antonym Trick

Learn 'Heimweh' and 'Fernweh' together. They are two sides of the same coin of longing, which is very central to German culture.

Schlager Music

If you want to hear this word used with a lot of emotion, listen to German Schlager music from the 50s and 60s. It's a very common theme.

Genitive Usage

For higher levels, try using 'wegen' or 'trotz' with the genitive: 'Trotz meines Heimwehs'. It sounds very sophisticated.

It's Normal!

In German-speaking cultures, admitting to Heimweh is generally seen as normal and healthy, not as a sign of weakness.

Home-Woe

Simply remember 'Home-Woe'. The 'Woe' represents the 'Weh' (pain). It's a perfect semantic and phonetic match.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of 'Home-Woe'. 'Heim' is home, and 'Weh' sounds like 'woe'. If you have 'Home-Woe', you are homesick.

ربط بصري

Imagine a person sitting on a suitcase in a rainy city, holding a small model of their house that is glowing with warmth.

Word Web

Heimat Haus Familie Schmerz Tränen Anruf Flugzeug Erinnerung

تحدٍّ

Write three sentences: one about a child with Heimweh, one about an adult with Heimweh, and one about a cure for Heimweh.

أصل الكلمة

The word 'Heimweh' first appeared in Swiss German in the 17th century (as 'Heimwihe'). It was coined to describe a specific medical condition observed in Swiss mercenaries serving abroad. Johannes Hofer, a medical student, Latinized it as 'nostalgia' in 1688, combining the Greek 'nostos' (return home) and 'algos' (pain).

المعنى الأصلي: It was originally considered a physical disease, sometimes fatal, with symptoms like fever, heart palpitations, and stomach pain.

Germanic (West Germanic branch).

السياق الثقافي

Be sensitive when discussing Heimweh with refugees or people who cannot return home; for them, it is a permanent and painful reality.

English speakers often use 'homesick' as an adjective, whereas Germans use the noun 'Heimweh'. The German term feels slightly more 'heavy' and existential.

The song 'Heimweh' (Brennend heißer Wüstensand) by Freddy Quinn. Hermann Hesse's poems often touch upon the theme of longing for home. The movie 'Heimat' by Edgar Reitz explores these themes over decades.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Travel and Vacation

  • Ich habe Heimweh.
  • Bekommst du kein Heimweh?
  • Das Heimweh ist verflogen.
  • Ein kleiner Gruß gegen das Heimweh.

Childhood and School Trips

  • Hat das Kind Heimweh?
  • Heimweh ist ganz normal.
  • Wir müssen ihn wegen Heimweh abholen.
  • Gegen Heimweh hilft Ablenkung.

Moving and Immigration

  • Das Heimweh nach der alten Heimat.
  • Er kämpft mit schwerem Heimweh.
  • Heimweh gehört zum Neuanfang.
  • Ein Leben zwischen Heimweh und Fernweh.

Literature and Music

  • Ein Lied voller Heimweh.
  • Das Motiv des Heimwehs.
  • Vom Heimweh gezeichnet sein.
  • Die Poesie des Heimwehs.

Psychology and Health

  • Heimweh als Stressfaktor.
  • Symptome von Heimweh.
  • Chronisches Heimweh behandeln.
  • Heimweh bei Senioren.

بدايات محادثة

"Hattest du schon mal so richtig schlimmes Heimweh?"

"Was tust du normalerweise, wenn du Heimweh bekommst?"

"Glaubst du, dass Haustiere auch Heimweh haben können?"

"Was vermisst du am meisten an deinem Zuhause, wenn du verreist?"

"Ist Heimweh für dich eher ein körperlicher oder ein seelischer Schmerz?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du Heimweh hattest. Wie hat es sich angefühlt?

Gibt es einen bestimmten Geruch oder ein Geräusch, das bei dir Heimweh auslöst?

Schreibe einen Brief an dein 'Heimweh'. Was würdest du ihm sagen?

Ist Fernweh das Gegenteil von Heimweh oder sind sie sich eigentlich ähnlich?

Wie hat sich dein Verständnis von 'Heimat' und 'Heimweh' über die Jahre verändert?

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

Yes, generally it describes a painful or sad emotion. However, it can also be seen positively as a sign of having a home that is worth missing. In literature, it is often treated with a sense of romantic beauty.

Absolutely. While often associated with children at camp, many adults experience intense Heimweh when moving for work or during long travels. It is a recognized emotion for all ages.

The most common way is 'Ich habe Heimweh'. You use the verb 'haben' (to have) followed by the noun 'Heimweh'.

Germans often suggest 'Ablenkung' (distraction), talking to friends, or 'sich einleben' (settling in). Some also recommend 'Gegenstände von zu Hause' (objects from home) like photos or favorite snacks.

Yes, the word 'nostalgia' was actually created as a Latin translation for the Swiss-German word 'Heimweh' in the 17th century.

It is always 'das Heimweh' (neuter). This is because many abstract compound nouns ending in '-weh' are neuter.

Usually, you use 'Sehnsucht' for people. However, you can say 'Heimweh nach meiner Familie' because the family represents 'home'. Saying 'Heimweh nach dir' is very poetic and implies the person is your home.

No, it is a Singularetantum. If you want to talk about multiple times, you say 'Ich hatte oft Heimweh' or 'viele Momente von Heimweh'.

It is the opposite of Heimweh. It is the longing to travel to distant places. Many Germans say they suffer from Fernweh during the cold winter months.

Yes, especially in psychology, social work, or human resources when discussing the challenges of relocation or international assignments.

اختبر نفسك 200 أسئلة

writing

Schreibe einen Satz mit 'Heimweh' und 'haben'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Was machst du gegen Heimweh? (2 Sätze)

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Beschreibe dein letztes Mal, als du Heimweh hattest.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Warum ist Heimweh ein wichtiges Thema für Auswanderer?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Diskutiere den Unterschied zwischen Heimweh und Fernweh.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Schreibe ein kurzes Gedicht über Heimweh.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Analysiere die Rolle von Heimweh in einem Buch, das du kennst.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Wie hat sich der Begriff Heimweh historisch verändert?

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writing

Ist Heimweh in einer globalisierten Welt noch relevant?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Schreibe einen Tagebucheintrag eines Kindes mit Heimweh.

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writing

Was sind die Symptome von Heimweh?

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writing

Wie kann man jemandem helfen, der Heimweh hat?

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writing

Gibt es Heimweh in deiner Kultur? Wie heißt das Wort?

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writing

Ist Heimweh ein Zeichen von Schwäche?

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writing

Vergleiche Heimweh mit Nostalgie.

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writing

Was löst bei dir Heimweh aus?

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writing

Schreibe eine Postkarte aus dem Urlaub trotz Heimweh.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Erkläre das Wort 'Heimat' einem Nicht-Deutschen.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Kann man Heimweh nach einem Ort haben, an dem man nie war?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Warum haben Kinder oft abends mehr Heimweh?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Sprich den Satz nach: 'Ich habe Heimweh.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Beantworte: Hast du oft Heimweh?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Sag auf Deutsch: 'I am homesick for Germany.'

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Erkläre, was gegen Heimweh hilft.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Beschreibe das Gefühl von Heimweh.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Diskutiere: Ist Heimweh heute seltener als früher?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Heimweh und Sehnsucht?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Erzähle eine Geschichte über jemanden mit Heimweh.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Benutze das Wort 'quälend' in einem Satz mit Heimweh.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Wie würdest du Heimweh in einem Gedicht beschreiben?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Was bedeutet 'Heimat' für dich persönlich?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Kann man Heimweh nach einer Person haben?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Welche Rolle spielt Heimweh in der Migration?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Sag: 'Despite his homesickness, he stayed.'

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Was ist schlimmer: Heimweh oder Fernweh?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Wie klingt das Wort 'Heimweh' für dich?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Welche Farbe hat Heimweh?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Gibt es ein Lied, das dich an Heimweh erinnert?

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Hast du Heimweh nach deiner Kindheit?

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Wie sagt man 'homesick' als Nomen?

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Hör zu: 'Ich habe Heimweh.' Was hat die Person?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Hör zu: 'Das Kind bekommt Heimweh.' Was passiert?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Hör zu: 'Gegen Heimweh hilft Schokolade.' Was hilft?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Hör zu: 'Er hat Heimweh nach Berlin.' Wohin will er?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Hör zu: 'Trotz Heimweh blieb sie.' Ist sie gegangen?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Hör zu: 'Das Heimweh war unerträglich.' Wie war es?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Hör zu: 'Sie unterdrückt ihr Heimweh.' Zeigt sie es?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Hör zu: 'Wegen seines Heimwehs weinte er.' Warum weinte er?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Hör zu: 'Fernweh ist nicht Heimweh.' Sind sie gleich?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Hör zu: 'Das Heimweh verging langsam.' Ging es schnell weg?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Hör zu: 'Er verspürte tiefes Heimweh.' Wie tief war es?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Hör zu: 'Das Lied weckt Heimweh.' Was weckt das Lied?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Hör zu: 'Kein Heimweh heute!' Hat die Person Heimweh?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Hör zu: 'Heimweh nach dem Hund.' Was vermisst er?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Hör zu: 'Das Heimweh ist ein Motiv.' Was ist es?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:

/ 200 correct

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