Meaning
Stating the city where one resides.
Cultural Background
The 'Anmeldung' is a legal requirement. You must tell the government where you 'wohnen' within 14 days of moving. In Vienna, people often identify with their district number (e.g., 'im 7. Bezirk') rather than just saying they live in Vienna. Housing is extremely expensive, so 'wohnen' often involves long commutes from neighboring villages or even across borders. The 'WG' (Wohngemeinschaft) is a staple of young adult life. Many people 'wohnen' with roommates well into their 30s.
Add the Neighborhood
In big cities like Berlin or Hamburg, always add your neighborhood (Kiez/Viertel) to sound like a local.
Watch the 'h'
Don't pronounce the 'h' in 'wohnen'. It's just there to make the 'o' long and elegant.
Meaning
Stating the city where one resides.
Add the Neighborhood
In big cities like Berlin or Hamburg, always add your neighborhood (Kiez/Viertel) to sound like a local.
Watch the 'h'
Don't pronounce the 'h' in 'wohnen'. It's just there to make the 'o' long and elegant.
The 'Du' vs 'Sie'
When asking 'Wo wohnen Sie?', you are being formal. Use 'Wo wohnst du?' with people your age or in casual settings.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'wohnen'.
Ich ______ in Berlin.
The first-person singular ending for regular verbs in German is '-e'.
Choose the correct preposition.
Er wohnt ______ Hamburg.
We use 'in' to describe a location within a city.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Wo wohnst du? B: ______ ______ ______ Wien.
The standard response to 'Wo wohnst du?' is 'Ich wohne in...'
Match the sentence to the correct context.
1. Ich wohne in {der|f} Schweiz. 2. Ich wohne in einem {das|n} Hotel.
Switzerland requires 'der', and hotels are usually temporary.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch ______ in Berlin.
The first-person singular ending for regular verbs in German is '-e'.
Er wohnt ______ Hamburg.
We use 'in' to describe a location within a city.
A: Wo wohnst du? B: ______ ______ ______ Wien.
The standard response to 'Wo wohnst du?' is 'Ich wohne in...'
1. Ich wohne in {der|f} Schweiz. 2. Ich wohne in einem {das|n} Hotel.
Switzerland requires 'der', and hotels are usually temporary.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, you always need the preposition 'in'.
'Wohnen' is about your house/address. 'Leben' is about your life in general.
Usually no. It's just 'in Berlin', 'in Paris'.
Use 'Ich wohne im {der|m} zweiten {der|m} Stock'.
Yes, if you are staying there for a while, it's common.
Yes, Switzerland is one of the few countries that requires an article.
Ask 'Wo wohnen Sie?'.
It stands for 'Wohngemeinschaft', a shared apartment.
Yes, that means 'I live near Berlin'.
It is a weak (regular) verb.
Related Phrases
Ich komme aus...
similarI come from...
Ich lebe in...
synonymI live in...
Ich ziehe um nach...
builds onI am moving to...
Ich bin zu Hause in...
specialized formI am at home in...
