French word

baraque

Pronunciation

IPA/baʁak/

Meaning

  • feminine nounshack

Example

Ils ont construit une baraque près du chantier.

They built a shack near the construction site.

Illustration for baraque (shack)

More examples

La baraque à frites du marché attire beaucoup de clients.

The market's French fry stand attracts many customers.

Core concept

An improvised shelter that stands briefly for workers, equipment, or a temporary stall.

Common phrases

  • une baraque à frites

    French fry stand

  • une baraque en tôle

    corrugated-metal shack

Similar words

cabane: A small, simple hut made from wood or boards.
cabanon: A small, basic hut in a garden or by the sea.
abri: A simple shelter from rain and wind.
étal: A market stall for displaying and selling goods.

Definition in French

Désigne une construction provisoire, surtout sur un chantier, destinée à abriter du matériel, des ouvriers ou des ventes temporaires.

Word origin

French borrowed baraque from Spanish barraca, a word for a basic temporary structure used for shelter or work.

Usage tips

  • In informal French, baraque can also describe a shabby or makeshift house, not only a site building.

Other meanings

  • hutnoun
  • stallnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word