das Elternhaus
parental home
The house or apartment in which you grew up with your parents.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Studium ist er wieder vorübergehend in sein Elternhaus gezogen.
After university, he temporarily moved back into his parental home.
das Elternhaus
parental home / family background
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Meanings
das Elternhaus
family background
The family environment, upbringing, and values that shaped a person during childhood and youth.
EXAMPLE
Er stammt aus einem musikalischen Elternhaus und spielt seit seiner Kindheit Geige.
He comes from a musical family background and has played the violin since childhood.
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is a compound of 'Eltern' (parents) and 'Haus' (house). It literally describes the parents' house, which can refer to the building (meaning 1) or metaphorically to the family influence (meaning 2).
EXAMPLE
Sein Elternhaus stand in einer kleinen Straße am Stadtrand.
His parental home stood on a small street on the outskirts of town.
Context clue
You can tell from context whether the building or the upbringing is meant. Verbs like 'wohnen' (to live), 'ausziehen' (to move out), or 'zurückkehren' (to return) point to the building. Adjectives like 'musikalisch' (musical), 'streng' (strict), or 'liberal' (liberal) and verbs like 'stammen aus' (to come from) point to the upbringing.
EXAMPLE
Mit 19 Jahren ist sie von zu Hause ausgezogen.
She moved out of home at the age of 19.
Typical collocations
When the physical house is meant, it is often combined with verbs of movement or living: 'aus dem Elternhaus ausziehen' (to move out of one's parental home), 'ins Elternhaus zurückkehren' (to return to one's parental home), or 'noch im Elternhaus wohnen' (to still live in one's parental home).
EXAMPLE
Viele Studenten wohnen während des Studiums noch im Elternhaus.
Many students still live in their parental home during their studies.
Typical collocations
When the family influence is meant, someone's origin is often described. Typical formulations are 'aus einem ... Elternhaus stammen' (to come from a ... family background) or 'vom Elternhaus geprägt sein' (to be shaped by one's family background).
EXAMPLE
Ihre Liebe zur Literatur wurde durch ihr Elternhaus geprägt.
Her love of literature was shaped by her family background.
Compare with
Elternhaus vs Familie
family
Familie and Elternhaus can both refer to a person’s family environment. Familie focuses more on the relatives as a social unit, while Elternhaus emphasizes the upbringing and values that shaped someone during childhood and youth. When the focus is on people, Familie is appropriate; when the focus is on the influences that shaped someone, Elternhaus is the better choice.
Elternhaus
Mein Elternhaus hat mich zu einem verantwortungsvollen Menschen geprägt.
My family background shaped me into a responsible person.
Familie
Meine Familie unterstützt mich bei wichtigen Entscheidungen.
My family supports me in important decisions.
In real life
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