Spanish Conversation · Level 23
90 words
Spanish word
pedal
Pronunciation
IPA/peˈðal/
Meaning
- masculine nounpedal
Example
El pedal de mi bicicleta está flojo.
The pedal on my bicycle is loose.
More examples
Ajusta el pedal de la bicicleta antes de salir.
Adjust the bicycle pedal before leaving.
Core concept
A footpiece on a bicycle, piano, or car used to engage brakes, sustain sound, or drive motion.
Common phrases
pedal de la bicicleta
bicycle pedal
pedal derecho
right pedal
pedal del freno
brake pedal
Similar words
acelerador: Foot-operated control that feeds more power to a vehicle's engine to accelerate.
freno: Brake activated by foot to reduce speed or bring a vehicle or bicycle to a stop.
embrague: Foot pedal that temporarily disconnects engine power so gears can be shifted.
palanca: Simple lever used to apply mechanical advantage and move machine parts.
Definition in Spanish
Parte o pieza que se pisa con el pie para accionar o controlar una máquina, un instrumento musical o un vehículo.
Word origin
The word traces to Latin pedalis 'of the foot' and entered Spanish through Romance-language forms like French pédale and Italian pedale.
Usage tips
- In vehicles name the function explicitly (el pedal del freno, el pedal del embrague) and note that the gas pedal is commonly called el acelerador rather than just pedal.
Related words
- pedalearpedalverb
- pedaleopedalingnoun
- pedalistapedalernoun