vacation home
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vacation home
A house that is not the main residence, but is used or rented out specifically for stays during vacations.
Wir haben für den Sommer ein kleines Ferienhaus am Meer gemietet.
We rented a small vacation home by the sea for the summer.
The word is made up of 'die Ferien' (vacation/holidays, plural) and 'das Haus' (house). The '-n-' is a linking element that connects the two words. Literally, then, it is a 'house for the holidays'.
Viele Familien träumen von einem eigenen Ferienhaus am See.
Many families dream of having their own vacation home by the lake.
'Ferienhaus' (vacation home) is often combined with verbs related to renting or owning. Typical phrases are 'ein Ferienhaus mieten' (to rent a vacation home), 'buchen' (to book), or 'besitzen' (to own).
Für unseren nächsten Urlaub wollen wir ein Ferienhaus in den Bergen buchen.
For our next vacation, we want to book a vacation home in the mountains.
Pay attention to the case with the preposition 'in'. When describing staying there, use the dative: 'im Ferienhaus sein' (to be in the vacation home). When describing movement toward it, use the accusative: 'ins Ferienhaus fahren' (to drive/go to the vacation home).
Wir fahren morgen ins Ferienhaus.
We're going to the vacation home tomorrow.
country house
'Landhaus' and 'Ferienhaus' can both mean a house outside the city or in a quiet area. The most important difference is the purpose. A 'Landhaus' is a country house and often seems larger or more attractive; it can also be a main residence. A 'Ferienhaus' is used specifically for vacations or relaxation, and often only for a certain period of time. Learners may confuse the words because a vacation home can also be in the countryside. In that case, it may be both, but 'Ferienhaus' emphasizes the vacation, while 'Landhaus' emphasizes the location and type of house.
Amira mietet für ihre Familie ein Ferienhaus an der Küste.
Amira is renting a vacation home on the coast for her family.
Am Wochenende besuchen wir Freunde in ihrem alten Landhaus am See.
At the weekend, we are visiting friends at their old country house by the lake.