How to Say "Key" in Greek - How To Say Guide

κλειδί

kleidí/kliˈði/neuter

The English word "key" is κλειδί (kleidí) in Greek.

κλειδί refers to a device designed to open and close a lock.

Meaning: device designed to open and close a lock (noun)

Which one should you use?

While κλειδί is the standard term, το κλειδάκι is used in informal contexts to mean "the key".

The plural form of κλειδί is κλειδιά.

The romanization is kleidí and the IPA is /kliˈði/.

The word κλειδί is a linguistic relative of the English word 'clavicle'. Both terms trace back to the same root referring to a 'key' or 'pin' because of the bone's shape.
The Greek word for 'keychain', μπρελόκ, is not native to the language but is a loanword from the French 'breloque'.
The term κλειδί evolved from the Ancient Greek κλειδίον, which was a diminutive of the word κλείς.

Έχω το κλειδί σας.
I have your key.
This sentence is useful for saying you have someone's κλειδί.
Tatoeba #5609894 by Zeus, translation #2360690 by CK
Φέρε μου το κλειδί.
Bring me the key.
This sentence is useful for asking someone to bring the κλειδί.
Tatoeba #5634257 by Zeus, translation #63409 by CK
Έψαξα για το κλειδί.
I looked for the key.
This sentence is useful for describing looking for the κλειδί.
Tatoeba #4595272 by Tensai, translation #254327 by CK
Παρακαλώ, δώστε μου το κλειδί του δωματίου.
Please give me the key to the room.
Να σου δώσω το κλειδάκι του αυτοκινήτου μου;
Should I give you the key to my car?
Ο φίλος μου ξέχασε το κλειδί του σπιτιού.
My friend forgot the house key.
Πού είναι το κλειδί;
Where is the key?
Θέλω το κλειδί του αυτοκινήτου.
I want the key to the car.
Τα κλειδιά είναι μέσα στην τσάντα.
The keys are inside the bag.
Αυτό το κλειδάκι δεν ανοίγει την πόρτα.
This key doesn't open the door.
39 more sentences on Tatoeba

Kyriaki and Nikos are at the front door of their house.

Κυριακή Kyriaki

Νίκο, έχεις το κλειδί;
Niko, echeis to kleidi?
Niko, do you have the key?
Νίκος Nikos

Όχι, νομίζω ότι το ξέχασα μέσα.
Ochi, nomizo oti to ksechasa mesa.
No, I think I forgot it inside.
Κυριακή Kyriaki

Πού είναι το κλειδί τότε;
Pou einai to kleidi tote?
Where is the key then?
Νίκος Nikos

Είναι πάνω στο τραπέζι.
Einai pano sto trapezi.
It is on the table.

Sources

Wiktionary, “key” translations and entries κλειδί, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries κλειδί, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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