hjem/hjemme
Home (Direction / Location)
Danish distinguishes between direction (hjem) and location (hjemme). If you are moving, use 'hjem'. If you are staying, use 'hjemme'.
How It Works
In English, we often use the word 'home' for both movement ('I'm going home') and location ('I'm home'). In Danish, these two functions are strictly separated:
- hjem (Direction): Used with verbs of motion like gå (walk), køre (drive), or rejse (travel). It answers the question Hvorhen? (Where to?).
- hjemme (Location): Used with stative verbs like være (be), blive (stay), or sidde (sit). It answers the question Hvor? (Where?).
This pattern is part of a larger system in Danish where short adverbs (ud, ind, op, ned) become long adverbs (ude, inde, oppe, nede) to indicate a static position. Note that you do not need a preposition like 'to' or 'at' when using these words; saying 'til hjem' is incorrect.
Examples (5)
- Jeg går hjem nu.
I am walking home now.
Word by Word: I walk home now.
Since 'gå' (walk) implies movement toward a destination, we use the directional form 'hjem'.
- Han er hjemme hele dagen.
He is at home all day.
Word by Word: He is home all day.
The verb 'er' (is) describes a state of being in one place, so we use the locational form 'hjemme'.
- Vi skal snart hjem til Danmark.
We are going home to Denmark soon.
Word by Word: We shall soon home to Denmark.
'Hjem' can refer to one's home country. Here, 'skal' implies 'going', which is movement.
- Bliver du hjemme i aften?
Are you staying at home tonight?
Word by Word: Stay you home in evening?
The verb 'blive' (stay) indicates remaining in a location, requiring 'hjemme'.
- De kører hjem fra festen.
They are driving home from the party.
Word by Word: They drive home from party-the.
'Køre' (drive) is a verb of motion, so 'hjem' is used.
Common Mistakes
Using the location form with a motion verb.
Jeg kommer hjemme klokken fem.Jeg kommer hjem klokken fem.Because 'kommer' (come) involves movement, you must use 'hjem'. 'Hjemme' is only for staying in one spot.
Adding a preposition like 'i' or 'til' before the adverb.
Jeg er i hjemme.Jeg er hjemme.In Danish, 'hjemme' already functions as 'at home'. Adding 'i' (in) is redundant and ungrammatical.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the difference between 'hjem' (movement) and 'hjemme' (location), you need to be familiar with basic verbs of being and movement, as well as the general concept of how Danish adverbs change form based on whether they describe a destination or a static position.
- -rPresent Tense -r
Understanding present tense conjugation is necessary to use verbs of movement (like 'går') and state (like 'er') with these adverbs.
Level 1 - her/derHere / There
The distinction between 'hjem' and 'hjemme' follows the same logic of direction vs. location found in other basic Danish adverbs like 'her' and 'der'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- ud/udeOut (Direction / Location)
Follows the exact same Direction vs. Location rule as hjem/hjemme.
Level 2 - væreTo Be (Være)
The most common verb used with the locational form 'hjemme'.
Level 1 - hvorWhere
The question word used to ask about the location 'hjemme'.
Level 1 - hvorhen/hvorfraWhere to / Where from
Used to ask about the direction 'hjem' (hvorhen) or the origin (hvorfra).
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice hjem/hjemme in Bubblegum
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