Schlüssel
/ˈʃlʏsl̩/masculine
The English word "key" is translated into German as Schlüssel.
The noun Schlüssel refers to a device designed to open and close a lock. It is the most common and general translation for "key" in German. You can use Türschlüssel specifically for a door key, and Schlüsselbund to refer to a keyring or a bunch of keys.
Meaning: device designed to open and close a lock (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Schlüssel is a masculine noun accompanied by the article der. When using the word in the accusative case, the masculine article changes from der to den (e.g., den Schlüssel). The genitive singular form is des Schlüssels. Note that the plural form of Schlüssel is identical to its singular form.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃlʏsl̩/
Did you know?
- When talking about a keyboard, Germans use Tastatur, but the individual keys are still called Tasten rather than Schlüssel.
- If you are talking about a 'key' in a musical sense, such as the key of C major, German uses the word Tonart instead of Schlüssel.
- The word Schlüssel is closely linked to the verb schließen, meaning 'to close'.
Examples in context
- Wo ist Ihr Schlüssel?Where's your key?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's Schlüssel.Tatoeba #7522137 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7522050 by CK
- Wo ist der Schlüssel?Where's the key?Tatoeba #8240955 by Luiaard, translation #2549424 by CK
- Tom hat den Schlüssel.Tom has the key.This sentence is useful for stating that someone has the Schlüssel.Tatoeba #5717388 by halfdan, translation #2648941 by CK
- Ich habe den Schlüssel.I have the key.
- Ich habe fünf Schlüssel.I have five keys
- Entschuldigen Sie, haben Sie den Schlüssel für den Konferenzraum?Excuse me, do you have the key for the conference room?
- Bitte vergewissern Sie sich, dass Sie den Türschlüssel nicht verlieren.Please make sure not to lose the door key.
- Hast du den Schlüssel zum Fahrradschloss?Do you have the key to the bike lock?
- Ach, wieder mal den Schlüssel verlegt!Oh, I misplaced the key again!
- 440 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are standing in front of their apartment door.
- SarahHast du den Schlüssel?Do you have the key?
- LukasNein, ich habe den Schlüssel nicht.No, I don't have the key.
- SarahOh nein, der Schlüssel ist weg.Oh no, the key is gone.
- LukasIch suche ihn sofort.I will look for it immediately.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “key” translations and entries Schlüssel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
