Inklingo
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cuartel

/kwar-'tel/

barracks

A simple illustration of a long, utilitarian military barracks building with a red roof, situated on a green lawn.

A cuartel is often used to mean military housing or barracks.

cuartel(noun)

mB1

barracks

?

military housing

,

military base

?

general location

Also:

garrison

?

a body of troops stationed in a particular place

,

headquarters

?

command center (often used with 'general')

📝 In Action

Los soldados deben regresar al cuartel antes de las seis.

A2

The soldiers must return to the barracks before six o'clock.

El cuartel general se estableció en el centro de la ciudad.

B1

The general headquarters were established in the center of the city.

Pasó tres años de servicio en un cuartel cerca de la frontera.

B2

He spent three years of service in a military base near the border.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • base militar (military base)
  • acuartelamiento (billeting/stationing)

Common Collocations

  • cuartel general – general headquarters (HQ)
  • estar de cuartel – to be confined to barracks

Idioms & Expressions

  • dar cuartel – to show mercy or compassion (usually in negative: no dar cuartel)

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Reminder

Even though 'cuartel' ends in -l, it is a masculine noun, so use 'el cuartel' or 'un cuartel'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'cuarto'

Mistake: "Using 'cuarto' (room/quarter) when you mean the military facility."

Correction: Use 'cuartel' for the large military building or base; 'cuarto' is just a single room.

⭐ Usage Tips

HQ Abbreviation

The phrase 'cuartel general' is often abbreviated in Spanish speech and writing as 'CG'.

A brightly colored illustration of a fire station, featuring a red building with large white doors and a red fire truck visible inside.

In Latin America, cuartel can also refer specifically to a fire station.

cuartel(noun)

mB2

fire station

?

Latin America, especially for fire services

Also:

police post

?

small, local police station (regional)

📝 In Action

El incendio estaba cerca, así que el cuartel de bomberos llegó en minutos.

B2

The fire was nearby, so the fire station arrived in minutes.

Tuvimos que ir al cuartel para llenar el formulario de denuncia.

C1

We had to go to the police post to fill out the complaint form.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • comisaría (police station (more common))
  • estación de bomberos (fire station (more common))

Common Collocations

  • cuartel de bomberos – fire station

⭐ Usage Tips

Check Local Usage

In most Spanish-speaking countries, 'comisaría' (police) or 'estación de bomberos' (fire) are safer bets. Use 'cuartel' only if you know it's the local term for the specific public service building.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: cuartel

Question 1 of 2

¿Cuál es el significado más común de 'cuartel'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

cuarto(room; fourth) - noun/adjective
acuartelar(to quarter (troops); to confine to barracks) - verb
cuartada(alibi) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'cuartel' only used for the military?

No, while the military meaning (barracks) is the most common, 'cuartel' is also used in some regions to refer to a fire station ('cuartel de bomberos') or a small police post.

How is 'cuartel' related to 'cuarto'?

They share the same root related to 'four' or 'a quarter/section.' 'Cuarto' means a single room or the number four. 'Cuartel' historically meant a section of a camp, which evolved into a whole building for lodging, making it a much larger place than a simple 'cuarto'.