Learn French: Ils dorment sur le trottoir pour profiter de ces rabais. - They sleep on the sidewalk to take advantage of these discounts.

To say "They will take advantage of these discounts, even if it means sleeping on the sidewalk", you would write: Ils profiteront de ces rabais, quitte à dormir sur le trottoir. The phrase quitte à expresses a heavy price to pay to achieve a goal, and it must be followed directly by an infinitive.

Why do we use de after profiter here?

The verb profiter changes meaning depending on the preposition that follows it. Profiter de means to take advantage of or to make the most of a situation or thing. If you use profiter à, it means to be beneficial to someone, for example: Ce rabais profite aux clients (This discount benefits the customers).

How does un rabais differ from other discount words like une réduction or les soldes?

Une réduction is the most generic term for any price drop. Les soldes refers strictly to the official, seasonal store sales in France. Un rabais is a specific commercial markdown, historically given to compensate for a minor defect or delay, but today retailers often use it to advertise aggressive promotions.

Does the word trottoir have a recognizable root to help remember it?

Yes! It comes from the verb trotter, which means to trot or walk briskly. A trottoir is simply the designated place for walking, keeping pedestrians out of the street.