Hausaufgabe
/ˈhaʊ̯sʔaʊ̯fˌɡaːbə/feminine
The German word for homework is Hausaufgabe.
Hausaufgabe refers to work that is done at home. While the singular form exists, the plural form Hausaufgaben is the most common and neutral way to refer to homework in German. Other related terms include Schulaufgaben, which specifically refers to homework in the context of school assignments and Aufgaben, which means assignments or tasks and is often used to refer to homework.
Meaning: work that is done at home (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of Haus (house) and Aufgabe (task or assignment).
How does it change in a sentence?
Hausaufgabe is a feminine noun, so it uses the feminine article die in the nominative case. When expressing that you 'have' homework to do, German speakers often use the phrase Hausaufgaben aufhaben instead of just using the verb haben.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhaʊ̯sʔaʊ̯fˌɡaːbə/
Did you know?
- The word Aufgabe within Hausaufgabe is a contronym, meaning it can mean both 'a task to be completed' and 'the act of giving up' or 'surrendering'.
- German students may refer to Hausaufgaben as Hausis in very informal youth slang to make the dreaded task sound smaller and less intimidating.
- In a professional context, Hausaufgabe is sometimes used metaphorically to describe a fundamental problem a country or company must solve internally before moving forward.
Examples in context
- Hast du Hausaufgaben auf?Do you have homework?This sentence shows how to ask if someone has homework using the form Hausaufgabe.Tatoeba #8238143 by wolfgangth, translation #2647195 by CK
- Gebt eure Hausaufgaben ab!Turn in your homework.This sentence shows how to instruct someone to turn in their homework using the form Hausaufgabe.Tatoeba #2121434 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #266719 by CK
- Ich mag keine Hausaufgaben.I don't like homework.This sentence shows how to express a dislike for homework using the form Hausaufgabe.Tatoeba #683917 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #258539 by CK
- Lehrer, können Sie uns bitte die Hausaufgaben aufgeben?Teacher, could you please assign us the homework?
- Hey, hast du die Hausi für morgen gemacht?Hey, have you done the homework for tomorrow?
- 578 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are at a cafe discussing their schoolwork.
- LukasIst die Hausaufgabe schwer?Is the homework difficult?
- SarahNein, sie ist ganz einfach.No, it is quite easy.
- LukasHast du deine Hausaufgabe schon gemacht?Have you already done your homework?
- SarahJa, ich bin fertig.Yes, I am finished.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “homework” translations and entries Hausaufgabe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
