shelter
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shelter
Accommodation or a protective place to live, especially for people without a permanent residence. The word emphasizes the aspect of protection from weather and danger.
Nach dem Brand hat die Familie bei Freunden ein vorläufiges Obdach gefunden.
After the fire, the family found temporary shelter with friends.
The word is made up of 'ob' (an old form of 'über' (over)) and 'Dach' (roof). So it literally means 'a roof over one's head' and describes a protected place.
Viele Hilfsorganisationen bieten den Menschen ein warmes Obdach für die Nacht.
Many aid organizations offer people warm shelter for the night.
Common verbs with this noun are 'Obdach finden' (to find shelter), 'Obdach suchen' (to seek shelter), 'Obdach bieten' (to offer shelter), or 'Obdach gewähren' (to provide shelter). The related adjective is 'obdachlos' (homeless).
Er suchte nach dem Sturm Obdach in einer alten Hütte.
After the storm, he sought shelter in an old hut.
'Obdach' (shelter) is a rather formal and slightly elevated word. You often find it in official reports, in the news, or in literature, especially in the context of emergencies and people in need of help.
Die Gemeinde stellt Flüchtlingen ein erstes Obdach zur Verfügung.
The municipality provides refugees with initial shelter.
accommodation
Unterkunft generally refers to a specific place for temporary living or staying overnight. Obdach emphasizes basic protection from the weather and danger, especially for people without a permanent home. Unterkunft is suitable for an arranged place to sleep; when urgently needed protection is meant, Obdach is often more appropriate.
In der kalten Nacht fand der wohnungslose Mann Obdach in einer Notunterkunft.
On the cold night, the homeless man found shelter in an emergency shelter.
Die Stadt vermittelte dem wohnungslosen Mann eine Unterkunft in einem Wohnheim.
The city arranged accommodation for the homeless man in a residential facility.
