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.
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
'das Hotel' and 'die Pension' can both be places where travelers stay overnight in exchange for payment. A hotel is usually larger and often offers more services, such as a reception desk, restaurant, or room service. A 'Pension' is generally smaller, often family-run, and simpler. You often get a room with breakfast there. The words can be confused because both offer rooms for guests. If you mean a larger business with more services, 'Hotel' fits. For a small, more personal place to stay, 'Pension' sounds more natural.
Meine Mutter übernachtet im Urlaub lieber in einer kleinen Pension am See.
On vacation, my mother prefers to stay in a small guesthouse by the lake.
Heute ist das Hotel fast ausgebucht, weil in der Stadt eine Messe stattfindet.
Today the hotel is almost fully booked because there is a trade fair in the city.