branler

to shake, wobble

verb brahn-LEH Less Common

Usage Note

branler in standard usage means to shake or wobble (la dent branle — 'the tooth is loose/wobbling'). However, it has a strong vulgar secondary meaning in informal registers, so learners should exercise caution. The phrase s'en branler is a very crude way of saying 'not to care'. In a neutral context, ça branle means 'it wobbles'.

Examples

"Cette chaise branle dangereusement."

Natural Translation

This chair wobbles dangerously.

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