01
der Heimweg
way home
The route from any place back home.
example
Auf dem Heimweg von der Arbeit kaufe ich meistens noch ein.
On the way home from work, I usually do some shopping.
der Heimweg
way home
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
'Heimweg' consists of 'Heim' (an old form meaning 'home') and 'Weg' (way/path). So the meaning is literally 'the way home'.
EXAMPLE
Der Heimweg kam mir heute besonders lang vor.
The way home seemed especially long to me today.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'sich auf den Heimweg machen' is very common and means that you set off to go home.
EXAMPLE
Es wird schon spät, wir sollten uns langsam auf den Heimweg machen.
It's getting late; we should slowly set off on our way home.
Correct preposition
To say that something happens while you are going home, you use the fixed combination 'auf dem Heimweg' (on the way home).
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Heimweg habe ich einen alten Freund getroffen.
On the way home, I met an old friend.
Compare with
Heimweg vs Rückweg
way back
'der Rückweg' and 'der Heimweg' can both describe the way back. 'Rückweg' generally means the way back to the place where you started. That can be home, but it does not have to be. 'Heimweg' more specifically means the way home. The words are easy to confuse when the starting point is also home. Then both can fit. But if you are going back to a hotel, the office, or a meeting point, 'Rückweg' is often more precise. If the destination really is your own home, 'Heimweg' sounds more natural.
Heimweg
Nach der Feier war der Heimweg ziemlich lang.
After the party, the way home was quite long.
Rückweg
Auf dem Rückweg vom See machten wir noch eine kurze Pause.
On the way back from the lake, we took another short break.
In real life
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