hostel / refuge
Loading your saved state.
hostel
A simple and inexpensive place to stay, especially for young people, hikers, or travel groups. Similar to a youth hostel or a hostel.
Nach einem langen Wandertag übernachteten wir in einer gemütlichen Herberge in den Alpen.
After a long day of hiking, we spent the night in a cozy hostel in the Alps.
refuge
A place that offers protection, refuge, or a temporary place to stay. This meaning is rather elevated or old-fashioned.
Das alte Kloster bot den Pilgern seit jeher eine sichere Herberge für die Nacht.
The old monastery had always offered pilgrims a safe refuge for the night.
The noun 'die Herberge' (hostel/refuge) is closely related to the verb 'beherbergen' (to accommodate/house). When a place 'beherbergt' someone, it offers them accommodation. So the 'Herberge' is the place that provides this accommodation.
Das Hotel kann bis zu 200 Gäste beherbergen.
The hotel can accommodate up to 200 guests.
In its modern meaning, 'Herberge' (hostel) is often combined with verbs such as 'übernachten' (to stay overnight), 'suchen' (to look for), or 'finden' (to find). A very common form is 'Jugendherberge' (youth hostel), a special type of accommodation for young travelers.
Für unsere Wanderung haben wir eine einfache Herberge in den Bergen gebucht.
For our hike, we booked a simple hostel in the mountains.
The meaning 'Zufluchtsort' (place of refuge) is rare today and sounds poetic or old-fashioned. You mainly find it in literary, historical, or religious texts.
In dem Roman findet die verfolgte Familie eine sichere Herberge in einem Kloster.
In the novel, the persecuted family finds a safe refuge in a monastery.
The modern meaning 'Hostel' (hostel) is used in the context of travel, hiking, or inexpensive overnight stays. The elevated meaning 'Zuflucht' (refuge) can be recognized by a historical or literary context, often in connection with words such as 'Pilger' (pilgrim), 'Flüchtling' (refugee), or 'Schutz' (protection).
Die Rucksacktouristen übernachteten in einer billigen Herberge am Stadtrand.
The backpackers spent the night in a cheap hostel on the outskirts of town.
accommodation
Unterkunft is the neutral umbrella term for a temporary place to live or sleep. Herberge is a specific type of accommodation that is usually simple and inexpensive. When the type of establishment is unimportant or not yet known, Unterkunft is the better choice.
Für unsere Reise wählen wir eine einfache und günstige Herberge.
For our trip, we're choosing a simple and inexpensive hostel.
Für unsere Reise suchen wir noch eine passende Unterkunft.
We're still looking for suitable accommodation for our trip.
