home country
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home country
The country where a person was born or grew up and to which they have a strong emotional connection.
Auch nach vielen Jahren im Ausland sehnte er sich nach seinem Heimatland.
Even after many years abroad, he longed for his home country.
The word 'Heimatland' is made up of 'die Heimat' (home/homeland) and 'das Land' (the country). So it refers to the country that one feels is one's home.
Viele Migranten haben eine enge Verbindung zu ihrem Heimatland.
Many migrants have a close connection to their home country.
The component 'Heimat-' is often used to connect other nouns with the place of origin. Examples are 'die Heimatstadt' (hometown), 'das Heimatdorf' (home village), or 'die Heimatsprache' (native language).
Jedes Jahr im Sommer besucht er seine Familie in seiner Heimatstadt.
Every summer, he visits his family in his hometown.
Common verbs used with 'Heimatland' describe movement or an emotional relationship: 'ins Heimatland zurückkehren' (to return to one's home country), 'das Heimatland verlassen' (to leave one's home country), or 'sein Heimatland vermissen' (to miss one's home country).
Nach zehn Jahren im Ausland kehrte er in sein Heimatland zurück.
After ten years abroad, he returned to his home country.
fatherland
Both words refer to a country to which a person feels emotionally connected. „Vaterland“ sounds more strongly patriotic and carries historical or political associations. „Heimatland“ emphasizes personal origins and attachment and is therefore usually more neutral when simply talking about one's country of origin.
Auch nach vielen Jahren im Ausland vermisste sie ihr Heimatland.
Even after many years abroad, she missed her home country.
In seiner Rede versprach der Politiker, sein Vaterland zu verteidigen.
In his speech, the politician promised to defend his fatherland.
