French word

caserne

Pronunciation

IPA/kazɛʁn/

Meaning

  • feminine nounbarracks

Example

Mon frère travaille à la caserne.

My brother works at the barracks.

Illustration for caserne (barracks)

More examples

J'ai vu la caserne de pompiers en rentrant du travail.

I saw the fire station on my way home from work.

Core concept

A guarded compound combining living quarters, stored gear, and a launch point for military or emergency teams.

Common phrases

  • la caserne de pompiers

    fire station

  • la caserne militaire

    military barracks

  • aller à la caserne

    go to the barracks

Similar words

caserne de pompiers: A fire station where firefighters live and keep vehicles and equipment ready for emergencies.
commissariat: A police station where officers work, handle incidents, and assist local residents.
gendarmerie: A national police station responsible for public safety and traffic enforcement.
garnison: A military base where troops are stationed and units and supplies are organized.

Definition in French

Bâtiment ou ensemble où des militaires ou des pompiers vivent, gardent leur matériel et se tiennent prêts à intervenir.

Word origin

The French noun caserne comes through Italian caserma from Latin casa, a house, reflecting its development as a place where personnel live together with their equipment.

Usage tips

  • The type of caserne is often specified with de pompiers for firefighters or militaire for the armed forces when context does not make it clear.

Other meanings

  • fire stationnoun

Word lists with this word