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alu

aluminium (informal)

noun a-LEW Rare

Origin: clipping of aluminium

Usage Note

Alu is the standard informal abbreviation for aluminium, used freely in everyday speech for foil, cans, frames, and construction. Du papier alu (aluminium foil) and une canette en alu (an aluminium can) are common collocations. It is fully accepted in everyday registers and widely understood.

Examples

"Enroule ça dans du papier alu."

Natural Translation

Wrap that in aluminium foil.

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