Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| sans-abri | /sɑ̃.z‿a.bʁi/ |
| SDF (sans domicile fixe) |
The terms used to describe someone lacking a permanent residence vary depending on the context, ranging from formal descriptions of a person's living situation to administrative acronyms.
What does it mean word for word?
The term sans-abri is a compound formed from sans, meaning without and abri, meaning shelter. The acronym SDF stands for sans domicile fixe, which literally means without a fixed residence.
Which one should you use?
sans-abri is a common way to say without shelter, while SDF is a specific acronym used to denote someone without a fixed domicile. In more formal or sensitive contexts, you may also encounter the phrase personne en situation de rue, which means person in a street situation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
SDF is the standard term used in administrative, legal or journalistic contexts in France. sans-abri is a formal term. personne en situation de rue is a formal way to refer to the homeless. Conversely, clochard is an informal term for a homeless person.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word sans-abri is invariable in number, so its spelling does not change when referring to multiple people.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /sɑ̃.z‿a.bʁi/.
Did you know?
- The term clochard is not just an informal word for 'homeless', but it has an older etymological connection to the word for 'bell ringer' or 'bell tower' keeper.
- In France, the acronym SDF is so deeply embedded in daily speech that people use it as a standard noun, such as saying un SDF to mean 'a homeless person'.
- The French term sans-abri is a direct linguistic relative of the Portuguese term sem-abrigo.
Examples in context
- Es-tu un sans-abri ?Are you homeless?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is a sans-abri.Tatoeba #5636751 by Aiji, translation #2244948 by CK
- Ziri est un sans-abri.Ziri is homeless.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is a sans-abri.Tatoeba #10975913 by Amastan, translation #10210029 by Amastan
- Je ne suis plus sans-abri.I'm no longer homeless.Tatoeba #7840030 by sacredceltic, translation #2646049 by CK
- Hier, j'ai croisé un clochard près de la gare.Yesterday, I came across a homeless person near the train station.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are discussing a local charity event.
- HugoOn aide les gens sans-abri ce soir.We are helping homeless people tonight.
- ManonC'est une excellente idée, Hugo.That is an excellent idea, Hugo.
- HugoOn peut distribuer des repas chauds.We can hand out hot meals.
- ManonJe vais apporter des couvertures pour les sans-abri.I will bring blankets for the homeless.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “homeless” translations and entries sans-abri, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries domicile, sans-abri, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
