フットブレーキ

フットブレーキ is a wasei-eigo compound ("foot" + "brake") for the main brake pedal of a car. The term is used mainly in driving education and technical contexts to distinguish the regular service brake from other braking systems.

Common collocations

• フットブレーキを踏(ふ)む: to press / step on the foot brake
• フットブレーキを離(はな)す: to release the foot brake
• フットブレーキの踏(ふ)み方(かた): how to press the foot brake
• フットブレーキが効(き)かない: the foot brake doesn't work / isn't effective

Similar words

• ブレーキ: brake (general term — usually means フットブレーキ in casual conversation)
• サイドブレーキ: parking brake (lever or pedal used when parked)
• エンジンブレーキ: engine braking (using the engine to slow down by downshifting or releasing the accelerator)
• 主(しゅ)ブレーキ: main brake (technical synonym)

Usage

• In everyday speech, simply saying ブレーキを踏(ふ)む (press the brake) implies the foot brake; the explicit term フットブレーキ is used when contrasting with other brake types.
• Driving manuals and instructors often emphasize using エンジンブレーキ in addition to フットブレーキ on long downhills to prevent overheating.