ブレーキ

• Reading: ブレーキ
• Romaji: bureeki
• Pronunciation: /bɯ.ɾeː.ki/

Meaning

Brake; a device for slowing or stopping a vehicle.

A katakana loanword from English 'brake.' Used for vehicle brakes and figuratively for anything that slows progress: ブレーキをかける (bureeki wo kakeru, to apply the brakes / to put a stop to something), ブレーキが効く (bureeki ga kiku, the brakes work). Types include サイドブレーキ (saido bureeki, handbrake) and エンジンブレーキ (enjin bureeki, engine braking).

Examples

1. 急にブレーキを踏んで後ろの車にぶつかりそうになった。 I slammed on the brakes and almost hit the car behind me.
2. 自転車のブレーキが壊れているので修理に出した。 My bicycle's brakes are broken, so I took it in for repair.
3. 景気にブレーキがかかって売上が減った。 The economy hit the brakes and sales dropped.

Usage Guide

Context: driving, cycling, figurative

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Borrowed from English 'brake,' originally referring to a device for crushing hemp. Entered Japanese with the spread of automobiles in the early 20th century.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal