guesthouse / pension
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guesthouse
A smaller, often family-run accommodation business that rents out rooms and usually also offers meals such as breakfast.
Im Urlaub haben wir in einer gemütlichen Pension am Meer gewohnt.
On vacation, we stayed in a cozy guesthouse by the sea.
pension
The retirement pay that civil servants, judges, and soldiers receive after their service has ended. In Austria and Switzerland, the term is also commonly used for employees.
Nach 40 Dienstjahren erhält der Beamte nun seine wohlverdiente Pension.
After 40 years of service, the civil servant now receives his well-deserved pension.
to be/retire
The state of retirement; no longer working and receiving retirement pay.
Mein Großvater ist schon seit fünf Jahren in Pension.
My grandfather has been retired for five years already.
The two main meanings of 'Pension' are easy to distinguish. If it is about vacation, travel, or overnight stays, it means the accommodation business. If it is about work, old age, or money from the state, it means retirement pay.
Wir haben eine kleine Pension für das Wochenende gebucht.
We booked a small guesthouse for the weekend.
In connection with retirement, two fixed expressions are used: 'in Pension gehen' (to retire; the transition into retirement) and 'in Pension sein' (to be retired; the state of retirement).
Nächstes Jahr geht mein Chef in Pension.
My boss is retiring next year.
In Germany, 'die Pension' specifically refers to the retirement pay of civil servants. The retirement pay of employees and workers, however, is called 'die Rente' (pension/retirement pay).
Als ehemaliger Lehrer bekommt er eine gute Pension.
As a former teacher, he receives a good pension.
In Austria and Switzerland, 'die Pension' is the general and common term for the retirement pay of all professional groups, not just civil servants.
In Österreich freuen sich viele auf ihre Pension nach einem langen Arbeitsleben.
In Austria, many people look forward to their pension after a long working life.
hotel
Hotel and Pension offer travelers rooms and often meals as well. A Pension is typically smaller and often family-run; Hotel says nothing specific about its size or management and may offer more services. However, the boundary between the two terms is not always clear-cut.
Wir buchen eine kleine, familiär geführte Pension mit Frühstück.
We are booking a small, family-run guesthouse with breakfast.
Wir buchen ein Hotel mit Rezeption, Restaurant und Zimmerservice.
We are booking a hotel with a reception desk, restaurant, and room service.
