clé à cliquet
/kle a kli.kɛ/
The English phrase "socket wrench" is translated into French as clé à cliquet.
A socket wrench is a tool used to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts using a ratcheting mechanism.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of clé (wrench/key), à (with/for) and cliquet (ratchet).
Which one should you use?
While clé à cliquet refers to the ratcheting handle, the individual detachable 'sockets' themselves are called douilles.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France, people might refer to a socket wrench as clé à cliquet or cliquet.
Did you know?
- The word douille for a 'socket' is also used in French to describe a shotgun shell.
- The word cliquet is an onomatopoeia, designed to mimic the sharp clicking sound the ratcheting mechanism makes when it is turned.
- The spelling clé only became the official standard for this word around 1845, having previously been written as clef.
Examples in context
- J'ai besoin d'une clé à cliquet.I need a socket wrench.
- La clé à cliquet est dans la boîte.The socket wrench is in the box.
- Il utilise une clé à cliquet pour la réparation.He is using a socket wrench for the repair.
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are working on a car in the garage.
- HugoLéa, peux-tu me passer la clé à cliquet ?Léa, can you pass me the socket wrench?
- LéaTiens, Hugo, la voilà.Here, Hugo, here it is.
- HugoMerci, elle est parfaite pour ce boulon.Thanks, it is perfect for this bolt.
- LéaFais attention à ne pas la faire tomber.Be careful not to drop it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry clé à cliquet, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries clé, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
