hometown
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hometown
The city where a person was born or grew up and to which they have a strong emotional connection.
Jedes Jahr zu Weihnachten fährt er zurück in seine Heimatstadt, um seine Familie zu besuchen.
Every year at Christmas, he goes back to his hometown to visit his family.
The word is a compound of 'Heimat' (home/homeland) and 'Stadt' (city). 'Heimat' describes the place where you feel at home and to which you have a deep emotional connection.
Obwohl er seit 20 Jahren in Berlin lebt, ist und bleibt München seine Heimatstadt.
Although he has lived in Berlin for 20 years, Munich is and remains his hometown.
A 'Heimatstadt' (hometown) is more than just the place of birth. The word emphasizes the personal and emotional connection to the city where you grew up or that shaped you.
Für sie ist ihre Heimatstadt der schönste Ort der Welt.
For her, her hometown is the most beautiful place in the world.
'Heimatstadt' (hometown) is often used with verbs of movement or visiting. Typical phrases are 'in die Heimatstadt zurückkehren' (to return to one's hometown), 'seine Heimatstadt besuchen' (to visit one's hometown), or 'aus einer Heimatstadt kommen' (to come from a hometown).
Er kehrt nur noch selten in seine alte Heimatstadt zurück.
He rarely returns to his old hometown anymore.
homeland / home
'die Heimat' and 'die Heimatstadt' both have to do with the place to which you feel personally connected. 'Heimat' is broader: it can be a country, a region, a village, or also a city. 'Heimatstadt' is more specific and means only a city where you were born or grew up. Learners may confuse the words because both sound emotional. If you are speaking generally about origin and belonging, 'Heimat' fits better. If you really mean the city, 'Heimatstadt' is more precise.
Meine Heimatstadt liegt am Rhein und hat eine kleine Altstadt.
My hometown is on the Rhine and has a small old town.
Nach vielen Jahren im Ausland vermisst Maria ihre Heimat.
After many years abroad, Maria misses her homeland.