clef à écrous
feminine
The English phrase wrench translates to French as clef à écrous. If unsure, use clef à écrous. It is also spelled clef. Wiktionary also lists clé and serre-écrou.
Meaning: hand tool (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| clef à écrous | feminine | |
| clef | /kle/ | feminine, alternative form |
| clé | /kle/ | feminine |
| serre-écrou | masculine | |
| clé de serrage | feminine |
In a workshop context, the word clé is the most frequent way to refer to various types of wrenches/spanners.
What does it mean word for word?
The term clé anglaise literally translates to 'English key' and is the common term for an adjustable wrench.
Which one should you use?
The word clé is polysemous and can mean both a physical key for a lock and a wrench/spanner. While clef à écrous is a specific form, clé is the most frequent way to refer to various types of wrenches/spanners in a workshop. For an adjustable wrench, you may use clé anglaise or the alternative clé à molette, where molette refers to the knurled screw used to adjust the jaw width.
Related words
Did you know?
- The term clé is used in French music theory to describe a 'clef' used to indicate the pitch of notes.
- The word clef descends from the Latin clāvis, which originally referred to a bolt or a pin used to lock a door.
- In a figurative sense, la clé is used to describe the 'key' or secret to solving a complex problem.
Examples in context
- Utilise cette clé pour serrer ce boulon.Use this wrench to tighten that bolt.This sentence is useful for learning how to use clé to tighten a bolt.Tatoeba #12593962 by lbdx, translation #11591705 by CK
- Passez-moi la clé.Hand me the wrench.This sentence is useful for practicing how to ask someone to hand you the clé.Tatoeba #12048 by nimfeo, translation #50293 by CK
- L'astronaute perdit sa prise sur la clé anglaise et tout ce qu'il pouvait faire était de regarder avec désarroi tandis qu'elle s'éloignait sereinement en flottant.The astronaut lost his grip on the wrench and all he could do was watch in dismay as it floated serenely away.This sentence is useful for seeing clé used in a descriptive narrative context.Tatoeba #811285 by sacredceltic, translation #644647 by darinmex
- Pourrais-je s'il vous plaît emprunter une clé anglaise ? J'ai besoin de resserrer cette vis.Could I please borrow a wrench? I need to tighten this screw.
- Tu as une clef à molette ? Celle que j'ai est trop petite pour ce boulon.Do you have a wrench? The one I have is too small for this bolt.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are fixing a bicycle in the garage.
- HugoOù est la clef à écrous ?Where is the wrench?
- LéaElle est sur l'établi, Hugo.It is on the workbench, Hugo.
- HugoMerci, j'en ai besoin pour ce boulon.Thanks, I need it for this bolt.
- LéaFais attention à tes doigts.Watch your fingers.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wrench” translations and entries clef, clé, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries clef, clé, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
