to squat / sit
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to squat
To sit in a posture where the knees are strongly bent and the buttocks are close to the ground or resting on the heels.
Die Kinder hockten im Kreis auf dem Boden und spielten mit Murmeln.
The children squatted in a circle on the floor and played with marbles.
'Hocken' is a colloquial word. While the literal meaning (to crouch/squat) is still relatively neutral, the figurative meanings for 'sitzen' (to sit) or 'wohnen' (to live) often have a slightly passive or negative undertone.
Was hockst du den ganzen Tag nur rum? Geh doch mal raus!
Why are you just sitting around all day? Go outside for once!
In southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, 'hocken' is often used as a neutral, everyday word for 'sitzen' (to sit), without the negative connotation it can have in other regions.
Komm, hock dich zu uns an den Tisch!
Come on, sit down with us at the table!
In its literal meaning, 'hocken' describes a specific body posture in which you crouch with your knees strongly bent. It is often used with 'sich hinhocken' (to squat down) to describe the movement into this position.
Der Gärtner hockte im Beet, um Unkraut zu jäten.
The gardener squatted in the bed to weed.
This colloquial meaning describes sitting for a long time, often idly or passively. Typical combinations are 'vor dem Fernseher hocken' (to sit around in front of the TV) or 'in der Kneipe hocken' (to sit around in the pub).
Er hat den ganzen Nachmittag vor dem Computer gehockt.
He sat around in front of the computer all afternoon.
When 'hocken' means 'wohnen' (to live), it almost always has a negative connotation. It suggests that someone is passive and is not making an effort to change their situation. It is usually followed by a location phrase with 'bei' or 'in'.
Sie hockt immer noch in ihrer winzigen Einzimmerwohnung am Stadtrand.
She is still stuck living in her tiny one-room apartment on the outskirts of town.
to live
'leben' and 'hocken' can both colloquially mean that someone lives somewhere or is staying there. 'leben' is neutral and normal. 'hocken' is very colloquial and often sounds slightly negative. It can suggest that someone is just passively staying in one place or not making progress. Learners may confuse the words because 'hocken' is used like 'leben' in some sentences. In neutral conversations, it is better to say 'leben'. 'hocken' fits more in casual language when you want to imply an evaluation.
Seit Monaten hockt er in seinem alten Zimmer und sucht keine eigene Wohnung.
For months, he has been sitting around in his old room and not looking for a place of his own.
Sie lebt ab nächstem Monat bei ihrer Schwester in Köln.
Starting next month, she will live with her sister in Cologne.