Gîte

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Neil Coffey on September 6, 2009 at 8:59pm

The usual expression for "homeless" is "sans abri".

Of course, if you work in government and don't want to tell it how it is, you would talk about somebody being "sans domicile fixe" (SDF).

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Crack1 on September 6, 2009 at 9:38pm

Il est sans abri
OR
Il a sans abri.
Please tell me.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Pamela Kingfisher on September 6, 2009 at 10:03pm

Your second sentence doesn't make sense. Maybe
Il n'as pas d'abri.

Pam

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Crack1 on September 6, 2009 at 11:09pm

Thanks Pam
I hope Neil or Frank will see this.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Frank on September 7, 2009 at 12:18am

It's "Il est sans abri". Talking about being "SDF", as stated by Neil, is very common, even if you don't work in government. It's probably even more common to say "SDF" than "sans abri".

"Il n'a pas d'abri" would be correct as well, but it doesn't really mean that he's homeless. It just means that he has nothing to shelter under (eg. from the rain). This is a very temporary situation.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Crack1 on September 7, 2009 at 9:00pm

When do you use the word 'gîte'?
Could you write 2 or 3 sentences to elucidate the meaning of the word 'gîte'?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Frank on September 7, 2009 at 9:23pm

A "gîte" is usually a bed & breakfast or a halt for trekkers. It's not your primary home, it's only for vacation.

• ▶ Reply