French Phrase
Ce casier est libre ?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether the particular locker they are pointing at is currently unoccupied and can be used. It’s a polite, neutral way to check availability.
When to use
Use this sentence in places where lockers are common – schools, gyms, train stations, airports, or any public venue that provides storage compartments. It works both in formal settings (e.g., asking a staff member) and informal ones (e.g., chatting with a fellow student).
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cecasierestlibre?
Ce (demonstrative adjective)
Used before a masculine singular noun to point out something specific, equivalent to 'this' or 'that' in English.
casier (masculine noun)
Means 'locker' or 'compartment'. It is masculine, so it takes the article 'le' or the demonstrative 'ce'.
est (être, 3rd person singular)
The present tense of the verb 'to be'. Here it links the subject 'ce casier' with the adjective 'libre'.
libre (adjective)
Means 'free' or 'available'. When used with objects like lockers, it indicates that the item is not occupied.
Question intonation vs inversion
In spoken French, a simple declarative sentence can become a question simply by raising the intonation at the end; no inversion is required.
🗨In Conversation
Ce casier est libre ?
Is this locker free?
Oui, il est libre. Vous pouvez le prendre.
Yes, it’s free. You can take it.
✕Common Mistakes
C'est casier est libre ?
‘C’est’ means ‘it is’; you cannot combine it with another noun. Use ‘Ce casier’ to point to the locker.
Ce casier est libre.
A period makes it a statement. To ask a question, either raise your intonation in speech or add a question mark.
Ce casier est libree ?
‘Libre’ does not agree in gender with ‘casier’; it stays masculine singular.
↔Alternatives
Ce casier est-il disponible ?
Is this locker available?
Ce casier est disponible ?
Is this locker available?
Ce casier est vide ?
Is this locker empty?
Cultural Tip
In French, both 'libre' and 'disponible' are used to talk about the availability of objects. 'Libre' sounds a bit more informal and is common in everyday speech, while 'disponible' can feel slightly more formal. Also, remember that the question mark is placed after a space before the punctuation in French typography (e.g., 'libre ?'), though most digital platforms ignore this spacing rule.