auberge
/o.bɛʁʒ/feminine
The English word hostel can be translated into French using auberge. Wiktionary also lists pension.
Meaning: an affordable overnight lodging place (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| auberge | /o.bɛʁʒ/ | feminine |
| pension | /pɑ̃.sjɔ̃/ | feminine |
A hostel is an affordable overnight lodging place. In common usage, the specific term for a youth hostel is auberge de jeunesse.
Which one should you use?
auberge often refers to a hostel or inn, whereas pension typically refers to a smaller, family-run guesthouse or boarding house where meals are often included.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, particularly in mountainous areas, the term Gîte d'étape is used for a hostel used by hikers.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /o.bɛʁʒ/. It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- The word auberge shares an ancient root with the word 'army' through the Frankish element *harjaz. It originally described a place meant to shelter an army.
- The term pension complète is used in French to describe 'full board'. This means the price of the room includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- While auberge de jeunesse means 'youth hostel', the term jeunesse refers to youth in general, not just young people. It can describe a state of mind or a period of life.
Examples in context
- Y a-t-il une auberge de jeunesse ici?Is there a youth hostel here?This sentence is useful for asking if there is a youth hostel nearby using auberge.Tatoeba #5707952 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #5707200 by AlanF_US
- Nous les rencontrâmes à l'auberge de jeunesse.We met them at the youth hostel.This sentence is useful for describing meeting people at a youth hostel using auberge.Tatoeba #1696432 by sacredceltic, translation #1692742 by Scott
- Certains affirment que l'auberge espagnole est un film pornographique.Some insist that the Spanish hostel is a pornographic film.This sentence is useful for discussing a film title using auberge.Tatoeba #607367 by qdii, translation #702818 by papabear
- Je cherche une auberge de jeunesse près de la tour Eiffel.I'm looking for a hostel near the Eiffel Tower.
- Est-ce qu'il y a un gîte pas cher dans cette région?Is there a cheap hostel in this region?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are planning a budget trip to the mountains.
- ChloéOn cherche une auberge pour notre voyage ?Are we looking for a hostel for our trip?
- HugoOui, une auberge pas trop chère serait l'idéal.Yes, an affordable hostel would be ideal.
- ChloéJe vais réserver cette auberge près du lac.I am going to book this hostel near the lake.
- HugoC'est une bonne idée, Chloé.That is a good idea, Chloé.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hostel” translations and entries auberge, pension, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries auberge, pension, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
