poulie
/pu.li/feminine
The English word pulley is translated into French as poulie.
Meaning: one of simple machines (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
poulie is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/pu.li/
Did you know?
- French anatomy uses the term poulie to describe the 'pulley' mechanism of the tendons in the human fingers, which allows them to bend.
- The French word poulie is a distant relative of the English word 'pull'. Both are thought to derive from an ancient root describing the act of drawing or dragging something.
- The French language distinguishes between a poulie and a palan, where the latter specifically describes the combined system of ropes and pulleys used for heavy lifting.
Examples in context
- J'ai besoin d'une poulie pour le mécanisme. Pouvez-vous en fournir une ?I need a pulley for the mechanism. Can you provide one?
- La poulie est cassée.The pulley is broken.
- Il utilise une poulie pour soulever la charge.He is using a pulley to lift the load.
- Cette poulie tourne très vite.This pulley turns very fast.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are in a workshop looking at some equipment.
- GabrielOù est la poulie pour ce moteur ?Where is the pulley for this engine?
- ChloéElle est sur l'établi, Gabriel.It is on the workbench, Gabriel.
- GabrielMerci, je vais l'installer.Thanks, I am going to install it.
- ChloéFais attention à tes doigts.Watch your fingers.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pulley” translations and entries poulie, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
