das
Wohnhaus
🏠 What Exactly is a Wohnhaus?
A Wohnhaus is a German noun referring to a building primarily or exclusively intended for people to live in. It serves as a permanent or temporary place of residence, offering shelter and privacy. Wohnhäuser (plural) can take various forms, from single-family homes (Einfamilienhäuser) and terraced houses (Reihenhäuser) to large apartment buildings (Mehrfamilienhäuser) or housing blocks (Wohnblöcke).
It's important to distinguish it from buildings serving other purposes, such as office buildings (Bürogebäude), factories (Fabriken), or shopping centres (Einkaufszentren).
Grammar Compass: das Wohnhaus
The noun 'Wohnhaus' is neuter. Therefore, the correct article is das.
Declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Wohnhaus |
| Genitive | des | Wohnhauses |
| Dative | dem | Wohnhaus / Wohnhause* |
| Accusative | das | Wohnhaus |
* The dative ending -e is dated but still possible.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wohnhäuser |
| Genitive | der | Wohnhäuser |
| Dative | den | Wohnhäusern |
| Accusative | die | Wohnhäuser |
Example Sentences
- Das neue Wohnhaus am Ende der Straße ist sehr modern.
(The new residential building at the end of the street is very modern.) - Die Miete für das Wohnhaus ist recht hoch.
(The rent for the residential building is quite high.) - Wir wohnen seit fünf Jahren in diesem Wohnhaus.
(We have been living in this residential building for five years.) - Der Architekt plant den Bau mehrerer Wohnhäuser in diesem Viertel.
(The architect is planning the construction of several residential buildings in this district.)
Context & Usage
The term Wohnhaus is used to specifically identify a building as a place of residence. It's more general than 'Einfamilienhaus' (single-family home) or 'Mehrfamilienhaus' (apartment building), but more specific than 'Gebäude' (building) or 'Haus' (house).
- Compared to 'Haus': While 'Haus' is often used synonymously in colloquial speech, 'Haus' can also refer to other types of buildings (e.g., 'das Opernhaus' - opera house, 'das Rathaus' - town hall). 'Wohnhaus' emphasizes the residential function.
- Compared to 'Gebäude': 'Gebäude' is a generic term for any kind of structure. 'Wohnhaus' is a specific type of 'Gebäude'.
- Context: You often find the term in official documents (Baupläne - building plans, Mietverträge - rental agreements, Katasteramt - land registry), in news about the real estate market, or in architecture.
Memory Hooks for Your Brain
Article Mnemonic: Think of the generic word 'das Gebäude' (the building) or 'das Haus' (the house), both are neuter ('das'). Since 'Wohnhaus' is a type of house/building, it logically follows the 'das' pattern. Many general building types in German are neuter.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word is a compound of 'Wohnen' (to live, reside) and 'Haus' (house). So, it literally means a 'house for living'. Very straightforward!
Word Relations: Similar & Opposite
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Wohngebäude: (Residential building) - Very similar, often interchangeable.
- Wohnblock: (Housing block) - Often refers to large, sometimes monotonous apartment buildings.
- Mehrfamilienhaus: (Multi-family house / Apartment building) - More specific type with multiple dwelling units.
- Einfamilienhaus: (Single-family house) - Specific type for one family.
- Gebäude: (Building) - Can be synonymous if the context makes the residential use clear.
- Haus: (House) - Often used colloquially, but less precise.
⚠️ Potential Confusion:
Be careful not to equate 'Wohnhaus' with more specific terms like 'Einfamilienhaus' or 'Hochhaus' (high-rise building) when the context requires a distinction.
A Little Housing Humor
Geht ein Mieter zum Vermieter: "Ich kann nachts nicht schlafen, die Mäuse spielen Fußball auf dem Dachboden!" Sagt der Vermieter: "Was erwarten Sie denn für 400 Euro Miete? Ein Länderspiel?"
Translation: A tenant goes to the landlord: "I can't sleep at night, the mice are playing football (soccer) in the attic!" The landlord says: "What do you expect for 400 Euros rent? An international match?"
Poetic Walls
Ein Dach, vier Wände, Fenster klar,
Ein Ort, wo Leben wunderbar.
Das Wohnhaus, still und fest es steht,
Wo Freude ein- und ausgeht.
Mal groß, mal klein, aus Stein, aus Holz,
Ein Zufluchtsort, der größte Stolz.
Translation:
A roof, four walls, windows clear,
A place where life is wonderful.
The Wohnhaus, silent and firm it stands,
Where joy comes and goes.
Sometimes big, sometimes small, of stone, of wood,
A refuge, the greatest pride.
Riddle Me This: Building Edition
Ich habe viele Fenster, aber keine Augen.
Ich biete Schutz, doch kann nicht saugen.
Menschen leben gerne in mir,
Tag und Nacht, das glaube mir.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: Das Wohnhaus
Translation:
I have many windows, but no eyes.
I offer shelter, but cannot suck (vacuum).
People like to live inside me,
Day and night, believe me.
What am I?
Solution: The residential building (das Wohnhaus)
More Than Just Four Walls
Word Composition
The word 'Wohnhaus' is a compound noun, composed of:
- wohnen (verb): to live, reside, dwell.
- das Haus (noun): house, building.
Together, the meaning is straightforward: A house for living/residing in.
Trivia
In Germany, strict building regulations (Bauordnungen der Länder - state building codes) define the requirements a building must meet to be approved as a 'Wohnhaus'. These cover aspects like lighting, ventilation, sound insulation (Schallschutz), and fire protection (Brandschutz).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Wohnhaus?
The German word 'Wohnhaus' is neuter. Therefore, the correct article is always das Wohnhaus. The plural form is 'die Wohnhäuser'.