to dwell / wreak havoc
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to live in squalor
To live under very simple, poor, or makeshift conditions. The word often has a negative or derogatory connotation.
Die obdachlose Familie musste den Winter über in einer verlassenen Fabrikhalle hausen.
The homeless family had to spend the winter living in squalor in an abandoned factory hall.
The verb 'hausen' is derived directly from the noun 'das Haus' (house). While 'Haus' is neutral, the verb 'hausen' has developed a special, often negative meaning today.
Man konnte kaum glauben, dass in dieser baufälligen Hütte Menschen hausten.
It was hard to believe that people were living in squalor in this dilapidated hut.
The verb 'hausen' is almost always used with an indication of place introduced by a preposition. Typical prepositions are 'in' (in), 'auf' (on), or 'unter' (under).
Die Mäuse hausen auf dem Dachboden.
The mice dwell in the attic.
When 'hausen' is used for people, it has a strongly negative connotation. It implies that someone is living under very poor, miserable, or uncivilized conditions.
Nach dem Erdbeben mussten viele Familien in Zelten hausen.
After the earthquake, many families had to live in squalor in tents.
In the meaning of 'wüten' (to rage) or 'sich austoben' (to let loose), 'hausen' is often combined with adverbs such as 'schlimm' (badly), 'übel' (nasty), or 'fürchterlich' (terribly). The phrase 'schlimm hausen' means to cause great disorder or destruction.
Die Einbrecher haben im ganzen Haus schlimm gehaust.
The burglars wreaked terrible havoc throughout the whole house.
When the subject of the sentence is an animal, 'hausen' is often more neutral and simply means 'leben' (to live) or 'nisten' (to nest). The negative connotation is usually not present here.
In diesem alten Baum haust eine ganze Kolonie von Fledermäusen.
A whole colony of bats dwells in this old tree.
to live
'leben' and 'hausen' can both describe someone living somewhere. 'leben' is neutral and fits almost all normal situations. 'hausen' is used only when the living conditions are very poor, basic, or chaotic. The word often sounds negative or derogatory. For that reason, it can be rude if you say it about people. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with living somewhere. As a safe choice, 'leben' is usually correct; 'hausen' only fits when you want to clearly emphasize the poor conditions.
Nach dem Brand hausten die Arbeiter für einige Tage in einem kalten Keller.
After the fire, the workers lived in a cold basement for a few days.
Du hast lange in einem Studentenwohnheim gelebt.
You lived in a student dormitory for a long time.