charnières

In a sentence

• Les charnières de la porte sont usées.

  The hinges of the door are worn out.

  Here, 'charnières' refers to the mechanical hinge components of a door, emphasizing their literal physical usage.

• Cette période historique est considérée comme une charnière entre le Moyen Âge et la Renaissance.

  This historical period is considered a hinge between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

  In this usage, 'charnière' is employed metaphorically to describe a transitional phase or connection between two eras.

• Les figures historiques jouent souvent un rôle de charnière dans les changements sociaux.

  Historical figures often play a hinge role in social changes.

  The word 'charnière' is used metaphorically again here to signify a pivotal or critical role connecting various elements.