A1 noun Neutral

llave

/ˈʝa.βe/

A metal instrument used for opening or closing a lock.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Perdí la llave de mi casa.

I lost my house key.

2

Se entrega la llave al director.

The key is handed to the director.

3

¿Me pasas la llave?

Can you hand me the key?

Word Family

Noun
llave
Verb
llaver
💡

Memory Tip

Llave opens the 'L'ock.

Quick Quiz

No puedo entrar, no tengo la ______.

Correct!

The correct answer is: llave

Examples

1

Perdí la llave de mi casa.

everyday

I lost my house key.

2

Se entrega la llave al director.

formal

The key is handed to the director.

3

¿Me pasas la llave?

informal

Can you hand me the key?

4

La llave es un símbolo de poder.

academic

The key is a symbol of power.

5

Necesitamos una llave de acceso digital.

business

We need a digital access key.

Word Family

Noun
llave
Verb
llaver

Common Collocations

llave de casa house key
cerrar con llave to lock
juego de llaves set of keys
llave inglesa wrench
llave maestra master key

Common Phrases

la llave del éxito

the key to success

bajo llave

under lock and key

llave de paso

stopcock / water valve

Often Confused With

llave vs clave

Llave is a physical key; clave is a password or code.

📝

Usage Notes

In Spanish, you 'close with key' (cerrar con llave) instead of just saying 'lock'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Pronouncing the 'll' like an 'l' instead of a 'y' sound.

💡

Memory Tip

Llave opens the 'L'ock.

📖

Word Origin

From Latin 'clavis'.

Grammar Patterns

Noun (feminine) Commonly used in plural: llaves

Quick Quiz

No puedo entrar, no tengo la ______.

Correct!

The correct answer is: llave

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