Is it "en casa" or "en la casa"?

Question

According to one grammar book, it says it could be either; but "en la casa" is more common in Latin America. In another book, it says that it is always "en casa," unless "casa" is modified by a phrase to make it stand out, as in "en la casa blanca." Even in Latin American Spanish. I'm leaning more towards "en casa" as a universal when it's not modified to stand out, but what are your opinions on this?

Answer 1

Depends of what you want to say... sometimes both are correct and used.

Voy a estar en casa/Voy a estar en la casa así que llámame.

EDIT:

You are sick and in bed. = Estás enfermos en cama.

Where are you now.

You can say "en cama" or "en la cama", the latter is more precise.

You outside in the patio. Where are you?

Estoy en casa (part of the house/home) or Estoy en el patio.

Is using the definite article before "casa" common outside of Latin America, or is that accepted in Peninsular Spanish, too? I know that certain phrase like "en la cama" ("in bed"), "en el escenario," (on stage), among others, are universals. - SpanishTutor, Dec 2, 2011

I agree chileno, it depends on what you want to say :) - FELIZ77, Dec 2, 2011

Answer 2

I always think of "en la casa" as in the house, and "en casa" as at home.

Answer 3

I agree with Chileno: it depends on what you want to say! The context makes a difference. Sometimes this just amounts to a small difference or nuance at other times the presence or existence of one word like ya or aún can make quite a difference!

I would also concur with sramadge

Answer 4

En casa. Está bien.

En la casa: "la" se comprende, pero innecesario.

Answer 5

Use "en la casa"

Answer 6

I'm leaning more towards "en casa" as a universal when it's not modified to stand out, but what are your opinions on this?

I agree.

Answer 7

en la casa