01
wohnen
to live
To have one's permanent place of residence or home in a house, an apartment, or another place.
example
Seit meiner Kindheit wohne ich in derselben Stadt.
I have lived in the same city since my childhood.
wohnen
to live
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Correct preposition
'Wohnen' (to live) is usually used with the preposition 'in' (+ dative) for a place (city, country, house) or with 'bei' (+ dative) for a person.
EXAMPLE
Meine Tante wohnt in einem kleinen Dorf an der Küste.
My aunt lives in a small village on the coast.
Separable verb
In the expression 'einer Sache innewohnen' (to be inherent in something), the verb 'innewohnen' is separable. In a main clause, the prefix 'inne' comes at the end. The subject is the quality that is inherent in something (in the dative).
EXAMPLE
Dieser alten Tradition wohnt eine besondere Bedeutung inne.
A special meaning is inherent in this old tradition.
Elevated style
The expression 'einer Sache innewohnen' (to be inherent in something) is very formal and belongs to a poetic or philosophical style of language. It is practically not used in normal everyday speech.
EXAMPLE
Der Richter sprach von der Gerechtigkeit, die dem Gesetz innewohnen sollte.
The judge spoke of the justice that should be inherent in the law.
Compare with
wohnen vs leben
to live
'leben' and 'wohnen' can both say that someone is in a certain place and has their home there. 'wohnen' is more specific when it is about the apartment, house, or address. 'leben' is a bit broader: it can mean the place where someone lives, but also their whole life in a place, including work, friends, and everyday life. That is why the words can be easy to confuse. When asking about an address or accommodation, 'wohnen' is more natural. When talking about life in a city or country, 'leben' often fits better.
wohnen
Im Sommer wohnt sie bei ihren Eltern, weil ihre Wohnung renoviert wird.
In the summer, she is living with her parents because her apartment is being renovated.
leben
Julian lebt seit drei Jahren in Berlin und kennt viele Leute dort.
Julian has lived in Berlin for three years and knows many people there.
In real life
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