die  Kaserne

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/kaˈzɛʁnə/

🏢 What exactly is a Kaserne?

A Kaserne (feminine, article: die) refers to a building or complex of buildings primarily used to house soldiers or other military or paramilitary units. It typically includes accommodation, administrative buildings, training grounds, and supply facilities. In English, this is usually called 'barracks'.

There is only this one meaning, and it is always feminine.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar & Declension of 'die Kaserne'

The word 'Kaserne' is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:

💡 Example Sentences

• Die Soldaten marschierten zurück zur Kaserne. (The soldiers marched back to the barracks.)
• Auf dem Gelände der Kaserne befindet sich ein Exerzierplatz. (There is a drill ground on the premises of the barracks.)
• Viele alte Kasernen werden heute zivil genutzt. (Many old barracks are used for civilian purposes today.)
• Der Rekrut bezog sein Zimmer in einer Kaserne. (The recruit moved into his room in a barracks.)

🎯 Usage Notes

The term Kaserne is primarily used in a military context. It refers to the place where soldiers live and work when not deployed.

• Typical Contexts: Military, conscription (Wehrdienst), history (e.g., old fortifications).
• Distinction: A Kaserne is specifically for military personnel. A Wohnheim (dormitory) serves students or workers, for example, and Unterkunft (accommodation) is more general.
• Colloquial Use: Sometimes the term is used slightly pejoratively for very simple, plain, or strictly run housing complexes ('Das sieht ja aus wie in einer Kaserne!' - 'This looks like barracks!'), but this is rather rare.

🧠 Mnemonics for Kaserne

Remembering the Article: Think of 'the Army' or 'the troop' (die Armee, die Truppe - both feminine in German) living in die Kaserne. Many organizations are feminine, including die Kaserne.

Remembering the Meaning: Imagine soldiers acting like 'clowns' (sounds a bit like Kas-) running down the 'lane' (sounds a bit like -erne, similar to Gasse/lane) – they can only do this within the safe walls of the Kaserne (barracks).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Note: Garnison often refers to the entire military post, including troops and administration, not just the building(s).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum haben die Soldaten in der Kaserne immer kalte Füße?
Weil sie in Zug-luftigen Stiefeln auf dem Kas-ernenboden stehen!

Translation: Why do soldiers in the barracks always have cold feet?
Because they stand on the barrack floor (Kas-ernenboden) in draughty (Zug-luftig) boots! (Pun: Zug means 'platoon' and 'draught')

📜 Poem about the Kaserne

Graue Mauern, streng und schlicht,
wo Disziplin das Tagwerk bricht.
Die Fahne weht, der Ruf erschallt,
in der Kaserne, jung und alt.
Soldatenleben, Schritt und Tritt,
die Kaserne prägt sie mit.

Translation:
Grey walls, stern and plain,
where discipline breaks the daily strain.
The flag waves, the call resounds,
in the barracks, young and old are found.
Soldier's life, step by step it goes,
the barracks shape them, everyone knows.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich habe viele Betten, doch schlafe nie.
Ich beherberge Uniformen, aber trage sie nie.
Man übt bei mir den Gleichschritt, tagaus, tagein.
Wer oder was mag ich wohl sein?

Translation:
I have many beds, but never sleep.
I house uniforms, but never wear them.
People practice marching in step with me, day in, day out.
Who or what might I be?

Solution: Die Kaserne (The barracks)

✨ Other Information

Etymology: The word 'Kaserne' comes from the Italian caserma, which originally meant a guardhouse or small house. It entered the German language via French (caserne).

Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen):

• Kasernenhof: The central yard or square within a barracks.
• Kasernensprache/Kasernenton: A rough, commanding tone of voice ('barracks language').
• Kasernenstadt: A town heavily characterized by the military and barracks ('garrison town').
• Mietskaserne: (Historical/Social Criticism) Large, densely built tenement blocks in cities, often with poor living conditions – a metaphorical transfer of the term.