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embrayage

clutch

noun ahm-breh-YAZH Rare
Travel & Places Transportation

Usage Note

Embrayage is the standard automotive term for the clutch mechanism that connects the engine to the gearbox. The related verb embrayer means 'to engage the clutch' (or figuratively 'to get started'/'to swing into action'), while débrayer means 'to disengage the clutch' and also 'to go on strike'. Learning to use l'embrayage smoothly is a key part of French driving lessons, as manual transmission dominates.

Examples

"La pédale d'embrayage est usée."

Natural Translation

The clutch pedal is worn out.

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