cabane
/ka.ban/feminine
The French word for cabin is cabane.
The word cabane refers to a small dwelling, especially one made of logs.
Meaning: small dwelling, especially one made of logs (noun)
Which one should you use?
While cabane is the standard term, le bungalow is used informally to refer to a cabin, often used for small, simple accommodation units in holiday resorts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec French, le camp is used to describe a cabin or a camp, primarily in a recreational or cottage context.
How does it change in a sentence?
cabane is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ka.ban/
Did you know?
- In the expression 'cabane à sucre', which is common in Quebec, the word refers to a sugar shack where maple syrup is processed, not a hut made of sugar.
- In French, the word cabine refers to a small compartment, such as a sleeping berth on a train or a changing room, rather than a log cabin.
- The English word 'cabin' and the French word cabane are actually distant linguistic cousins, both tracing back to the same Latin root, 'capanna'.
Examples in context
- La cabane a explosé.The cabin exploded.This sentence shows the word cabane used in the context of an explosion.Tatoeba #11837680 by Amastan, translation #11792889 by Amastan
- Ziri était dans une cabane.Ziri was in a cabin.This sentence shows the word cabane used to describe a location where someone was.Tatoeba #11756628 by Amastan, translation #11431789 by Amastan
- Tom a une cabane dans les bois.Tom has a cabin in the woods.This sentence shows the word cabane used to describe a structure located in the woods.Tatoeba #9159739 by Julien_PDC, translation #9159737 by CK
- Vous pouvez louer une cabine sur ce navire de croisière.You can rent a cabin on this cruise ship.
- Nous avons un petit chalet en montagne.We have a small cabin in the mountains.
- Nous avons séjourné dans une petite case au bord de la plage.We stayed in a small cabin by the beach.
- On a construit une petite cabane dans notre jardin.We built a small cabin in our garden.
- Je vais louer un bungalow pour mes vacances d'été.I'm going to rent a cabin for my summer vacation.
- On a passé l'été dans notre camp près de la rivière.We spent the summer in our cabin near the river.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are looking at photos of a vacation rental.
- ManonRegarde cette petite cabane en bois.Look at this little wooden cabin.
- NathanElle est très mignonne, cette cabane.This cabin is very cute.
- ManonEst-ce que la cabane est confortable ?Is the cabin comfortable?
- NathanOui, elle semble parfaite pour nous.Yes, it looks perfect for us.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cabin” translations and entries cabane, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cabane, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
