Discover how to say the word “home” in over 70 languages across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Indigenous communities — including cultural meanings and usage examples.
Saying “Home” in European Languages
Western European Languages
- French: Maison / Chez soi
- Spanish: Hogar / Casa
- Portuguese: Lar / Casa
- Italian: Casa
- German: Zuhause / Heim
- Dutch: Thuis / Huis
Northern European Languages
- Swedish: Hem
- Norwegian: Hjem
- Danish: Hjem
- Finnish: Koti
- Icelandic: Heimili
Eastern European Languages
- Russian: Дом (Dom)
- Polish: Dom
- Czech: Domov / Dům
- Ukrainian: Дім (Dim)
- Hungarian: Otthon
Celtic Languages
- Irish (Gaelic): Baile
- Scottish Gaelic: Dachaigh
- Welsh: Cartref
- Cornish: Tre
- Breton: Ti
Other European Languages
- Greek: Σπίτι (Spíti)
- Albanian: Shtëpi
- Romanian: Acasă / Casă
- Basque: Etxea
- Maltese: Dar
How to Say “Home” in Asian Languages
East Asian Languages
- Chinese (Mandarin): 家 (Jiā)
- Japanese: 家 (Ie) / ホーム (Hōmu)
- Korean: 집 (Jib)
South Asian Languages
- Hindi: घर (Ghar)
- Urdu: گھر (Ghar)
- Bengali: বাড়ি (Bari)
- Tamil: வீடு (Veedu)
- Telugu: ఇల్లు (Illu)
Southeast Asian Languages
- Thai: บ้าน (Bâan)
- Vietnamese: Nhà
- Filipino (Tagalog): Bahay
- Indonesian: Rumah
- Malay: Rumah
Central Asian Languages
- Kazakh: Үй (Üy)
- Uzbek: Uy
- Turkmen: Öý
- Kyrgyz: Үй (Üy)
- Tajik: Хона (Khona)
Saying “Home” in African Languages
- Swahili: Nyumbani
- Zulu: Ikhaya
- Xhosa: Ikhaya
- Hausa: Gida
- Amharic: ቤት (Bet)
- Yoruba: Ilé
- Igbo: Ụlọ
Saying “Home” in Indigenous and Native Languages
- Navajo: Kin
- Cherokee: ᎪᎯᎢ (Go-hi-i)
- Hawaiian: Hale
- Māori (New Zealand): Kāinga
- Inuktitut (Inuit): ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ (Inuktitut) – illu
Romantic Use
- In many languages, “home” is used metaphorically to express love or emotional closeness:
- “You are my home.”
- French: “Tu es mon chez-moi.”
- Spanish: “Eres mi hogar.”
- “You are my home.”
Using Translations and Meanings in Sentences
- English: I feel at home here.
- German: Ich fühle mich hier wie zu Hause.
- Japanese: ここは我が家のように感じます。(Koko wa wagaya no yō ni kanjimasu.)
Cultural Insights in Usage
- In Japan, “home” often refers to a family-centered household.
- In Arabic cultures, the concept of “home” includes hospitality and family honor.
- In Indigenous communities, home is tied deeply to land and ancestry.
Final Thoughts
The word “home” carries deep emotional and cultural meaning across the globe. Whether it’s a physical place, emotional comfort, or symbolic representation of belonging, understanding how different cultures express it helps us connect more deeply with one another.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What’s the difference between “house” and “home”?
A house is a physical building. A home is where one feels belonging and comfort.
What language has the most poetic word for home?
Languages like Spanish (“hogar”) and French (“chez moi”) are often seen as deeply expressive.
Is “home” used the same in all cultures?
No, some cultures see it as a location, others as a spiritual or ancestral tie.