carburateur

carburettor

noun kar-bu-rah-TUR Rare

Origin: From French 'carbure' (carbide/hydrocarbon), coined in the 19th century.

Usage Note

Carburateur is the part of an internal combustion engine that blends air and fuel before injection into the cylinders. It has been largely replaced by fuel injectors in modern vehicles, so the word is now common mainly in discussions of older cars and motorcycles. Régler le carburateur means 'to tune the carburettor'.

Examples

"Le mécanicien a nettoyé le carburateur."

Natural Translation

The mechanic cleaned the carburettor.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

The Bonjour Rule: French Etiquette for Visitors

Always say bonjour before you ask, order, or pay in France — the unspoken rule that opens every door. A respectful visitor's guide to French etiquette.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Noun Gender: Rules to Guess Right 80%

Guess French noun gender right 80% of the time using word endings: -age, -ment, -eau are masculine; -tion, -té, -ette are feminine. A high-yield system.

June 3, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Tu vs Vous: When to Use Each in French

Tu vs vous in French: use tu for one friend, family, or child, and vous for strangers, elders, your boss, and any group. A clear etiquette guide.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Je t'aime vs Je t'adore: I Love You in French

Je t'aime is the real romantic I love you; je t'adore means warm fondness, not romance. Here's the person-vs-thing rule and the bien trap that flips it.

June 4, 2026 6 min read