Broken house emoji ๐๏ธ
The broken house emoji ๐๏ธ shows a run-down building, often with cracks and boarded windows. Learn what it means, when to use it, and how to copy it.
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What the broken house emoji means
The broken house emoji ๐๏ธ, officially named the derelict house emoji, depicts a building that has fallen into disrepair. It often shows cracks, a damaged roof, and boarded-up windows. It communicates neglect, abandonment, or simply the passage of time taking its toll on a structure.
Beyond physical buildings, the emoji works as a metaphor for a broken home, a relationship that has deteriorated, or any situation that feels like it is crumbling. It stands in contrast to the house emoji, which represents warmth, stability, and a well-kept home.
How the design looks on different platforms
The exact appearance of the broken house emoji differs from one platform to another. Some versions show a two-storey house, while others show a single-storey building. The amount of visible damage and surrounding details can vary.
A house that looks merely old on one platform might look completely condemned on another, so the visual context can change the meaning. It is worth checking how the recipientโs device renders it if the message is important.
Compare derelict house with similar emoji
| Emoji | Name | Use it for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| derelict houseU+1F3DA U+FE0F | Derelict house (broken house) | A run-down building with damaged walls and boarded windows | |
| houseU+1F3E0 | A simple, intact home with a door and windows | ||
| hutU+1F6D6 | A small, basic shelter often made of natural materials | ||
| classical buildingU+1F3DB U+FE0F | A grand structure with columns, like a museum or courthouse | ||
| building constructionU+1F3D7 U+FE0F | A building under construction with a crane | ||
| office buildingU+1F3E2 | A multi-storey building for offices |
How people use the abandoned house emoji
People use the abandoned house emoji to describe real places that have been left to decay. It suits posts about urban exploration, forgotten rural properties, or buildings scheduled for demolition. For example:
The emoji also works metaphorically. If someone feels emotionally exhausted or their plans have fallen apart, they might send ๐๏ธ to signal that things are not going well. It can be less direct than the broken heart emoji, but it carries a similar sense of something once whole now damaged.
In some contexts, the abandoned house emoji can indicate a stalled project or a business that has closed down. Someone might text โThe new app is ๐๏ธโ to mean the idea has been shelved.
Haunted house and spooky meanings
The derelict house emoji is a natural fit for Halloween and horror conversations. Its rundown appearance makes it a natural stand-in for a haunted house, especially since there is no dedicated haunted house emoji. Pair it with the ghost emoji or the skull emoji to set a spooky scene.
- Telling a scary story about an abandoned mansion
- Describing a haunted house attraction or horror film
- Reacting to a messy room that looks condemned
- Indicating that a place feels eerie or unsettling
- Wishing someone a happy Halloween with a spooky text like โThe old house on the hill is ๐๏ธ tonightโ
How to copy and paste the broken house emoji
You can copy the broken house emoji ๐๏ธ directly from this page. On a phone, tap and hold the emoji, then choose Copy.
For keyboard shortcuts and faster ways to access the emoji picker, see our emoji keyboard shortcuts guide.
One technical detail: the emoji is encoded as U+1F3DA with an optional variation selector U+FE0F. Including the variation selector ensures the character renders as a colourful emoji rather than a monochrome text symbol on older systems. Most modern keyboards insert the full sequence automatically.
Questions people ask
What does the broken house emoji mean?
It represents a derelict or abandoned building. People use it to talk about physical decay, neglect, or metaphorical situations that are falling apart.
Is the broken house emoji the same as the haunted house emoji?
There is no specific haunted house emoji, so the broken house emoji ๐๏ธ often stands in for haunted houses in spooky or Halloween contexts. Its run-down look makes it a natural fit.
How do I type the broken house emoji?
You can copy it from this page, or use the emoji picker on your device. See our keyboard shortcuts guide for details.
What is the difference between the broken house emoji and the house emoji?
The house emoji ๐ shows a well-kept home, while the broken house emoji ๐๏ธ shows a neglected building with visible damage. The contrast is useful for showing before-and-after states or feelings about home life.
About this guide
Written and maintained by the Emoji Directory editorial team, without ads or sponsorship. Meanings describe how the emoji is commonly used in public posts and messages, not an official definition. Names, code points, versions, keywords and translations come from the Unicode Emoji 18.0 and CLDR data; shortcodes from the gemoji project. Last reviewed . Spotted a mistake or a new usage? Tell us, or read how the directory is made.
