French word

gîte

Pronunciation

IPA/ʒit/

Meaning

  • masculine nounholiday cottage

Example

Pour nos vacances, nous avons loué un gîte à la campagne.

For our vacation, we rented a holiday cottage in the countryside.

Illustration for gîte (holiday cottage)

More examples

Ils ont réservé un gîte de vacances près de la plage.

They booked a vacation rental near the beach.

Core concept

A temporary home rented for a few days, often in the countryside and equipped for everyday life.

Common phrases

  • gîte de vacances

    vacation rental

  • gîte de groupe

    group vacation rental

Similar words

chambre d'hôtes: A guest room in a host's home with breakfast included.
maison de vacances: A detached holiday house used as a vacation home or rental.
chalet: A small wooden holiday home or lodging building in the mountains or near a ski resort.

Definition in French

Maison ou logement loué pour de courts séjours, généralement autonome et équipé pour la vie quotidienne, souvent destiné aux vacances.

Word origin

The noun developed from Old French giste, which referred to a resting place or lodging, from the verb gesir and Latin jacēre, meaning to lie.

Usage tips

  • A gîte usually implies self-catering accommodation, while chambre d'hôtes normally refers to a guest room with breakfast provided by the host.

Other meanings

  • lodgingnoun
  • shelternoun

Word lists with this word