French word

pension

Pronunciation

IPA/pɑ̃sjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nounguesthouse

Example

Nous avons réservé une pension pour nos vacances.

We booked a guesthouse for our vacation.

Illustration for pension (guesthouse)

More examples

Ils ont séjourné dans une pension familiale près du port.

They stayed at a family-run guesthouse near the harbor.

Core concept

A small house organized around regular payment, providing rooms and sometimes meals, while the same idea also covers a periodic allowance.

Common phrases

  • séjourner dans une pension

    stay at a guesthouse

  • une pension familiale

    a family-run guesthouse

  • une pension près du port

    a guesthouse near the harbor

Similar words

hôtel: A building for travelers with paid rooms, a front desk, and various services.
auberge: A small inn that often provides meals for its guests.
gîte: A rented house or holiday cottage where guests usually prepare their own meals.
chambre d'hôtes: A homestay offering a private room and breakfast in the owner's home.

Definition in French

Logement de petite taille, souvent géré par une famille, qui loue des chambres et propose parfois des repas ; le même mot peut désigner une rente versée périodiquement.

Word origin

French pension comes through Old French from Latin pensio, meaning 'payment', and developed senses for both paid lodging and a regular allowance.

Usage tips

  • In accommodation listings, pension complète includes all meals, whereas demi-pension usually includes breakfast and one other meal each day.

Other meanings

  • pensionnoun
  • boarding housenoun

Related words

  • pensionnatboarding schoolnoun
  • pensionnairelodgernoun

Word lists with this word