hingehören
to belong
To have one's correct or intended place in a specific location.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Aufräumen wusste ich endlich wieder, wo alles hingehört.
After tidying up, I finally knew again where everything belongs.
hingehören
to belong
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Meanings
hingehören
to belong
To be part of a particular group, community, or social environment and feel that one belongs there.
EXAMPLE
Seit er in den Verein eingetreten ist, hat er das Gefühl, endlich irgendwo hinzuhören.
Since he joined the club, he has felt that he finally belongs somewhere.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Hingehören' (to belong) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'hin' comes at the end. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Diese Bücher gehören ins oberste Regal hin.
These books belong on the top shelf.
Asking about place
A very common and useful use of this verb is asking about the correct place for something. The question is almost always: 'Wo gehört das hin?' (Where does this belong?). The prefix 'hin' comes at the end here too.
EXAMPLE
Wo gehört dieser Schlüssel hin?
Where does this key belong?
Social belonging
In the second meaning, it is not about a physical place, but about a feeling of belonging to a group or society. The subject here is always a person.
EXAMPLE
Er hatte lange das Gefühl, nirgendwo richtig hinzuhören.
For a long time, he had the feeling that he didn't really belong anywhere.
Compare with
hingehören vs gehören
to belong
Both words can express that something belongs in a particular place. Gehören describes more generally where something needs to be placed, while hingehören emphasizes the correct or intended place more strongly. Use hingehören when you want to highlight the appropriate place.
hingehören
Die Bücher gehören in dieses Regal, denn dort ist ihr vorgesehener Platz.
The books belong on this shelf because that is their intended place.
gehören
Die Bücher gehören in das Regal neben dem Fenster.
The books belong on the shelf next to the window.
In real life
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