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PhrasesAt the Hardware StoreAvete una chiave inglese regolabile?
A2

Avete una chiave inglese regolabile?

Do you have an adjustable spanner?

Pronunciation

KYA-ve in-GLE-ze — two syllables each; 'gl' in inglese makes a 'ly' sound (not 'gl').

When to use it

Use this when you need a versatile wrench that can fit multiple bolt sizes. In Italian, it is called chiave inglese (English key/wrench) — an interesting linguistic borrowing that reflects Italy's historical technical exchanges with Britain.

What it means

Chiave inglese (adjustable spanner) can be set to different jaw widths, making it versatile. Chiave fissa (fixed spanner) comes in specific sizes. For plumbing, chiave per tubi (pipe wrench or Stillson) is used for threaded pipes. Chiave a brugola (Allen key/hex key) for recessed hex screws. Chiave a stella (ring spanner) for bolts.

Variations

Un set di chiavi fisse.

A set of fixed spanners.

Fixed spanners are more precise than adjustable ones; sold as metric sets (8-22mm is common).

Chiave a brugola 4 mm.

4mm Allen key.

Brugola is the Italian term for an Allen/hex key; also called chiave esagonale.

Chiave a pappagallo per i tubi.

Pipe wrench for pipes.

Pappagallo (parrot) is the Italian name for a large adjustable pipe wrench — so called for its shape.

Mini Dialogue

— Avete una chiave inglese? — Da quanto? Abbiamo da 200 mm e da 300 mm. — Per stringere raccordi idraulici standard. — La da 200 mm è sufficiente. Se ha spesso lavori idraulici, conviene anche la chiave a pappagallo.

— Do you have an adjustable spanner? — What size? We have 200mm and 300mm. — For tightening standard plumbing fittings. — The 200mm is sufficient. If you often do plumbing work, the pipe wrench is also worth having.

Cultural Note

The Italian term chiave inglese (English key) for an adjustable spanner mirrors the French clé anglaise and German Engländer — all attributing the tool's invention to England. Italy's most iconic spanner-related image is Fiat worker with a chiave inglese — famously referenced in Primo Levi's story collection La chiave a stella (The Wrench), which won the Strega Prize in 1979.