Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| thuis | /tœy̯s/ | neuter |
| huis | /ɦœy̯s/ | masculine |
| heem | /ɦeːm/ | neuter |
| verblijf | /vərˈblɛi̯f/ | neuter |
The term home in English can refer to a house or structure where someone lives. thuis is a common and versatile way to say home. When you want to emphasize ownership of your own home, you can use the phrase eigen huis.
Which one should you use?
Use huis when referring to the physical structure or building of a home. Use thuis when referring to the state of being at home or the location of being home, rather than the physical building itself. The neuter form heem also exists, while verblijf can refer to a place of stay or residence.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Flanders, Belgium, the word woonst may be used to refer to a person's home.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing movement toward home, such as 'going home', use the adverbial phrase naar huis instead of just using thuis.
How do you pronounce it?
/tœy̯s/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use thuis to mean the physical house. Remember that thuis is an adverb of place (at home) and huis is the noun for the physical house.
When do people say it?
If you wish to refer to a small or cozy home affectionately, you can use the diminutive form huisje.
Did you know?
- In the Netherlands and Belgium, the concept of 'home' is often linked to gezellig, a word with no direct English equivalent that describes a cozy and social atmosphere.
- The word thuis is actually a frozen contraction of the phrase te huus, which originally meant 'at house'.
- The word heem is rarely used alone today but survives in many place names and the word tehuis, which refers to a residential institution or care home.
Examples in context
- Is je man thuis?Is your husband at home?This sentence uses thuis to ask about someone's location.Tatoeba #1401200 by DjWLaan, translation #1192252 by mookeee
- Ik ga naar huis.I'm going home.This sentence uses huis to express direction toward a physical house.Tatoeba #3562886 by martinod, translation #773453 by marloncori
- Ik zie je thuis.See you at home.This sentence uses thuis to express a meeting at a person's home.Tatoeba #5807966 by doemaar14, translation #2648981 by CK
- Ik voel me thuis.I feel at home.
- Ik ga terug naar mijn eigen huis.I'm going back to my own home.
- Ik voel me prettig in mijn eigen huis.I feel comfortable in my own home.
- Laten we gezellig thuisblijven in ons huisje.Let's stay cozy at home in our little house.
- Mijn huisje voelt als een veilige haven.My little house feels like a safe haven.
- 1278 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Daan are talking on the phone in the evening.
- JuliaBen je al thuis?Are you home already?
- DaanNee, ik ben nog onderweg.No, I am still on my way.
- JuliaKom je vanavond bij mij thuis eten?Are you coming to my home to eat tonight?
- DaanJa, dat lijkt me leuk.Yes, that sounds nice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “home” translations and entries thuis, huis, heem, verblijf, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries heem, huis, thuis, verblijf, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
