hôtel
/o.tɛl/masculine
The French word for hotel is hôtel.
hôtel is a masculine noun used to refer to an establishment that provides accommodation.
Meaning: establishment providing accommodation (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Because hôtel starts with a silent 'h', the definite article le elides to l' to avoid a hiatus, resulting in the form l'hôtel to mean 'the hotel'.
How do you pronounce it?
/o.tɛl/ (2 syllables)
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often forget to include the circumflex accent (ˆ) over the 'o' when writing hôtel.
Did you know?
- If you see the term hôtel de ville in a French town, it does not mean a hotel for travelers. It actually refers to the 'city hall' or the administrative building of the municipality.
- In French, hôtel is a linguistic 'cousin' to the word hôpital, which means 'hospital'. Both words share the same ancient roots related to the concept of hospitality and providing shelter.
- A grand private townhouse in a city is called an hôtel particulier, which is a residence rather than a commercial business.
Examples in context
- Où est l'hôtel ?Where is the hotel?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of the hôtel.Tatoeba #2508115 by Aiji, translation #2499505 by CM
- Je vis à l'hôtel.I live in a hotel.This sentence is useful for stating that one lives at the hôtel.Tatoeba #2383469 by sacredceltic, translation #2377657 by CK
- Où est ton hôtel ?Where's your hotel?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's specific hôtel.Tatoeba #8269920 by Aiji, translation #6924083 by Eccles17
- Je vais réserver une chambre à l'hôtel.I am going to book a room at the hotel.
- L'hôtel est situé au centre-ville.The hotel is located in the city center.
- J'ai réservé une chambre dans un petit hôtel en bord de mer.I have booked a room in a small hotel by the seaside.
- Nous allons passer la nuit dans une auberge de charme.We are going to spend the night in a charming inn.
- 442 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are arriving in a city for a trip.
- LucasOn arrive enfin à l'hôtel.We are finally arriving at the hotel.
- ChloéC'est un très bel hôtel.It is a very beautiful hotel.
- LucasJe vais chercher les clés.I will go get the keys.
- ChloéD'accord, je t'attends ici.Okay, I'll wait for you here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hotel” translations and entries hôtel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hôtel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
