Understand the job before learning the words
Use this page in order: discover the main missions, remember the professional qualities, practise the useful sentences, then open the tools and materials.
General jobs
Mechanic
Mecanicien
Maintains, diagnoses, repairs, and replaces vehicle parts on engines, brakes, steering, suspension, and electronic systems.
01
MAIN MISSIONS
What does this professional do?
- Prepare the work area
- Check measurements and plans
- Carry out the main operation
- Control quality
- Clean and report
02
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
What qualities are important?
03
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Where can this job be done?
⌖ Workshop⌖ Construction site⌖ Customer premises
SPEAK ON SITE
Useful sentences for this job
Read the English sentence aloud, then check the French meaning.
Vérifiez les mesures avant de commencer.
La zone de travail est maintenant sécurisée.
Advantages 5 points
- The trade combines manual work and technical thinking.
- Every vehicle problem is a practical puzzle to solve.
- Mechanics can specialize in diagnostics, heavy vehicles, or electric cars.
- The job is useful in garages, dealerships, fleets, and workshops.
- Modern vehicles make the trade increasingly technical and interesting.
Disadvantages 5 points
- Oil, grease, and dirt are part of daily work.
- Heavy wheels and components can be difficult to move.
- Electronic faults can be time-consuming to diagnose.
- Some tasks happen in uncomfortable positions under the vehicle.
- Workshops can be noisy and sometimes stressful during peak periods.
Tools Main tools used in this job 8 items
Each card shows the English term, the French term, and one visual reference to help students recognize the item more easily.
Socket set
Socket wrench set
Jeu de cles a douilles
Loosens and tightens many bolts and nuts on vehicles.
Jack
Hydraulic jack
Cric hydraulique
Raises a vehicle safely for wheel and underbody work.
Torque wrench
Torque wrench
Cle dynamometrique
Tightens parts to the correct manufacturer setting.
Scanner
Diagnostic scanner
Valise de diagnostic
Reads error codes and live data from vehicle systems.
Screwdriver
Screwdriver set
Jeu de tournevis
Removes trims, covers, clamps, and many small parts.
Brake tool
Brake piston tool
Repousse-piston de frein
Pushes back brake pistons during pad replacement.
Drain pan
Oil drain pan
Bac de vidange
Collects old engine oil during servicing.
Impact wrench
Impact wrench
Cle a choc
Removes tight wheel nuts and stubborn fasteners quickly.
Materials Main materials used in this job 10 items
Materials are shown with the same bilingual format so the learner can connect the right object, name, and usage.
Oil
Engine oil
Huile moteur
Lubricates moving engine parts and reduces wear.
Brake fluid
Brake fluid
Liquide de frein
Transfers pressure in the hydraulic braking system.
Coolant
Coolant
Liquide de refroidissement
Helps control engine temperature and prevents freezing.
Air filter
Air filter
Filtre a air
Filters air before it enters the engine.
Oil filter
Oil filter
Filtre a huile
Keeps engine oil cleaner during operation.
Spark plug
Spark plug
Bougie d allumage
Ignites the fuel-air mixture in petrol engines.
Brake pad
Brake pad
Plaquette de frein
Creates friction to slow and stop the vehicle.
Belt
Drive belt
Courroie d accessoires
Transfers power to engine accessories.
Battery
Battery
Batterie
Supplies electrical power for starting and onboard systems.
Spare part
Replacement parts
Pieces de rechange
New parts fitted when original components are worn or damaged.