domov
[ˈdomof]masculine
The English word 'home' is translated into Czech as domov.
The word domov represents a formal and grandiose concept of home, embodying a sense of belonging or a place of origin.
Meaning: house or structure in which someone lives (noun)
Which one should you use?
While domov refers to the emotional concept of 'home', dům refers specifically to the physical building or 'house'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word doma is used to indicate being at home, such as 'I am at home'. The word domů is used to indicate movement towards home, such as 'going home'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use domov to mean 'at home' or 'to home', but these require the adverbial forms doma or domů respectively.
Did you know?
- The Czech national anthem begins with the phrase Kde domov můj, which means 'Where is my home'. This phrase turns the concept of domov into a powerful symbol of national identity and longing.
- In Czech, the word domov is used to name various types of institutional care, such as domov pro seniory for a nursing home. In these cases, it emphasizes the idea of a residence rather than a family dwelling.
- The word domov shares a deep linguistic root with the Latin word domus, meaning 'house'. This connects Czech to a wide family of Indo-European languages including French and Spanish.
Examples in context
- Tom utekl z domova.Tom ran away from home.This sentence shows how to use domov to express running away from a place of origin.Tatoeba #9469928 by Ergulis, translation #1498898 by Spamster
- Občas sním o domově.I sometimes dream of home.This sentence demonstrates using domov when dreaming about the concept of home.Tatoeba #8808114 by Ergulis, translation #258153 by CK
- Její domov je čistý.Her home is clean.This sentence shows domov being used to describe a home as being clean.Tatoeba #11653736 by Ergulis, translation #11653663 by Aghanim
- Mám nový byt.I have a new apartment.
- Česká republika je můj domov.The Czech Republic is my home.
- Už se těším, až budu doma.I'm looking forward to being home.
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kateřina and Jan are talking about their childhood places.
- KateřinaKde je tvůj rodinný domov?Where is your family home?
- JanMůj domov je v Praze.My home is in Prague.
- KateřinaJe to hezké místo?Is it a nice place?
- JanAno, miluji svůj domov.Yes, I love my home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “home” translations and entries domov, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
