voiture manuelle
The English phrase "manual car" is translated into French as voiture manuelle.
The phrase voiture manuelle is used to describe a car that requires the driver to shift gears manually. If you are discussing the transmission system itself rather than the entire vehicle, you might instead use the term boîte manuelle, which means "manual gearbox".
Which one should you use?
To describe the opposite of a manual car, use voiture automatique (automatic car). While voiture manuelle refers to the whole car, boîte manuelle is used when focusing specifically on the manual transmission component.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because voiture is a feminine noun, the adjective must be in its feminine form, manuelle, to agree with it.
Did you know?
- The French word boîte, used in boîte manuelle, literally means 'box', but it is also the common slang term for a 'nightclub'.
- The term voiture is etymologically linked to the English word 'vector', as both stem from the Latin 'vectūra' meaning 'a carrying'.
- Because the word boîte is so versatile, a French speaker might use the same word to describe a 'mailbox', a 'jewelry box' and a 'gearbox'.
Examples in context
- Savez-vous conduire une voiture manuelle ?Do you know how to drive a manual car?This sentence is useful for asking if someone knows how to drive a voiture manuelle.Tatoeba #12476260 by menaud, translation #12476261 by menaud
- Je n'aime pas les voitures avec une transmission automatique, je préfère une voiture manuelle.I don't like cars with automatic transmission, I prefer a manual car.
- Je préfère conduire une voiture manuelle.I prefer driving a manual car.
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are talking about renting a vehicle for their trip.
- EmmaOn loue une voiture manuelle ou automatique ?Are we renting a manual car or an automatic?
- LucasPrends une automatique, c'est plus simple.Get an automatic, it's simpler.
- EmmaMais une voiture manuelle coûte moins cher.But a manual car costs less.
- LucasC'est vrai, alors on prend la manuelle.That's true, so let's take the manual.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries manuelle, voiture, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
