चाबी
cābī/t͡ʃɑː.biː/feminine
The English word 'key' translates to Hindi as चाबी (cābī). Wiktionary also lists ताली (tālī) and कुंजी (kuñjī).
Meaning: device designed to open and close a lock (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| चाबी | cābī | /t͡ʃɑː.biː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| ताली | tālī | /t̪ɑː.liː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| कुंजी | kuñjī | /kʊn.d͡ʒiː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| कुंजिका | kuñjikā | /kʊn.d͡ʒɪ.kɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
The term refers to a device designed to open and close a lock.
Which one should you use?
चाबी is the most common, everyday word for a physical key used for locks, doors or cars. In contrast, कुंजी is a more formal or technical term often used in literature, in computer science (such as for keyboard keys) or when referring to a metaphorical 'key' to a problem or solution.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms of 'key' provided are feminine. To express the plural of चाबी, use चाबियाँ. To express the plural of कुंजी, use कुंजियाँ.
How do you pronounce it?
cābī (tʃɑː.biː)
Did you know?
- The common word चाबी did not come from ancient Indian languages but was borrowed from the Portuguese word 'chave'.
- The term कुंजिका is a direct Sanskrit descendant that is now almost entirely absent from spoken Hindi conversation.
Examples in context
- यह आपकी चाबी है।This is your key.This sentence is useful for identifying ownership of the चाबी.Tatoeba #588523 by minshirui, translation #449118 by CK
- चाबी मेज़ पर है।The key is on the table.This sentence is useful for stating the location of the चाबी.Tatoeba #4156370 by richke, translation #732315 by Eldad
- यह रही आपकी चाबी।Here is your key.This sentence is useful for handing someone their चाबी.Tatoeba #3691664 by sabretou, translation #61534 by CK
- कृपया उस दरवाज़े की चाबी पास कीजिए।Please pass me the key to that door.
- कहाँ रखी हैं तेरी चाबियाँ?Where did you keep your keys?
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man is looking for his keys in the living room.
- पूजा Poojaविकास, क्या तुम्हें मेरी चाबी मिली?Vikas, kya tumhe meri chaabi mili?Vikas, did you find my key?
- विकास Vikasनहीं पूजा, मुझे चाबी नहीं मिल रही।Nahi Pooja, mujhe chaabi nahi mil rahi.No Pooja, I can't find the key.
- पूजा Poojaशायद चाबी मेज़ पर ही है।Shayad chaabi mez par hi hai.Maybe the key is just on the table.
- विकास Vikasहाँ, यह रही तुम्हारी चाबी!Haan, yeh rahi tumhari chaabi!Yes, here is your key!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “key” translations and entries चाबी, ताली, कुंजी, कुंजिका, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries कुंजिका, कुंजी, चाबी, ताली, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
