钥匙
The English phrase 'keys' is translated into Chinese as 钥匙.
The term 钥匙 refers specifically to physical keys used for locks. It is not used for musical keys or computer keys, which use different terms such as 调 or 按键. For related items, 钥匙串 specifically refers to a keychain and 钥匙包 refers to a small bag or pouch used to carry keys.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 钥匙 is a noun that does not change its form to indicate plurality. The context or a number/measure word determines if it is singular or plural.
Did you know?
- When describing a 'master key', Chinese uses the term 万能钥匙, which translates literally to 'ten-thousand-ability key' or 'all-powerful key'.
- The concept of a 'key' in Chinese can be described using the measure word 把 (bǎ), which is also used for objects with handles, like knives or umbrellas.
- In Chinese, the character 钥 is often paired with 匙 to form the word 钥匙, but in ancient texts, these two components could function independently to mean 'key' or 'spatula'.
Examples in context
- 你需要钥匙吗？Do you need the keys?Tatoeba #5813858 by AlbadeG, translation #687962 by lukaszpp
- 把你的钥匙给你。Here are your keys.Tatoeba #510734 by GlossaMatik, translation #35586 by CK
- 我可能把钥匙忘了。I might have forgotten my keys.Tatoeba #7771879 by jiangche, translation #7023619 by shekitten
- 我找不到我的钥匙了。(Wǒ zhǎo bù dào wǒ de yào shi le.)I can't find my keys.
- 我的钥匙串折断了。(Wǒ de yào shi chuàn zhé duàn le.)My keychain broke.
- 我的钥匙包丢了。(Wǒ de yào shi bāo diū le.)I lost my key pouch.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two roommates are leaving the house.
- 俊杰 Junjie你拿钥匙了吗？Nǐ ná yàoshi le ma?Did you take the keys?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen在我的包里。Zài wǒ de bāo lǐ.They are in my bag.
- 俊杰 Junjie太好了，我们走吧。Tài hǎo le, wǒmen zǒu ba.Great, let's go.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen等一下，我找不到钥匙了。Děng yīxià, wǒ zhǎo bù dào yàoshi le.Wait a second, I can't find the keys.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
