32 Nach Hause / Zu Hause

Nach Hause / Zu Hause

In German, both nach and zu mean to (as in ‘towards’)

Nach is used with geographical names & home:

• Wir fahren nach Köln. = We are going to Cologne
  
• Ich gehe nach Hause. = I am going home.
  

Zu is used with people & some places:

• Ich gehe zu meinem Opa = I am going to my grandpa.
  
• Wir gehen zur Bank/Post. = We are going to the bank/post office.
  

However, against all logic, the phrase  zu Hause means ‘at home’ (not ‘toward home’ as one might think):

• Ich bin morgen zu Hause. = Tomorrow, I am home.
• Er hat das Buch zu Hause. = He has the book at home.