Bleibe

Bleibe is a German noun (die Bleibe) that refers to a place where someone stays or lives. It encompasses a dwelling, lodging, or residence and can indicate a home for both temporary and longer-term stays. In everyday usage, people might say “eine Bleibe finden” (to find a place to live) or “meine Bleibe” (my place to stay or home).

Etymology and sense development: The noun derives from the verb bleiben, meaning to stay or remain. Over time, the abstract sense of a place one stays in developed into the noun Bleibe, used to denote the location of one’s residence or lodging. The word remains closely tied to the notion of staying rather than the act of staying itself.

Usage and nuance: Bleibe is more informal and personal than terms like Wohnung (apartment) or Wohnsitz (residence). It often conveys a sense of lodging or a place of temporary accommodation, though it can also refer to a permanent residence in everyday speech. In formal writing or official contexts, Unterkünfte, Wohnung, or Wohnsitz are more common. Bleibe appears in literary language as well, contributing a colloquial or intimate tone when describing one’s living situation.

See also: Bleiben (the verb), Wohnung, Unterkunft, Wohnsitz, Quartier.