Schlüssel
/ˈʃlʏsl̩/
The English phrase "keys" is translated into German as Schlüssel.
Schlüssel refers to the small metal tools used to lock or unlock doors and other containers. You can use Türschlüssel specifically to indicate door keys, or Schlüsselbund when referring to a keyring or a bunch of keys.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word Schlüssel is identical in both its singular and plural forms. To distinguish between them, you must look at the article. For example, der Schlüssel means "the key" (singular), while die Schlüssel means "the keys" (plural). Additionally, when Schlüssel is used as a masculine singular direct object in a sentence, the form changes to einen Schlüssel or den Schlüssel.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃlʏsl̩/
Did you know?
- The German word Schlüssel shares a common ancestor with the English word 'slot', as both stem from a root meaning 'to close'.
- The word Schlüssel is also used in music to refer to a 'clef', such as the Violinschlüssel for the treble clef.
- The term Schlüsselerlebnis describes a 'key experience', a pivotal life event that fundamentally changes a person's perspective or direction.
Examples in context
- Gib mir die Schlüssel!Give me the keys.This sentence is useful for practicing the command to give the keys.Tatoeba #5687879 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1877595 by CK
- Gib Tom die Schlüssel.Give the keys to Tom.This sentence is useful for practicing giving the keys to someone else.Tatoeba #7024491 by benbika, translation #6821850 by CK
- Wo sind die Schlüssel?Where are the keys?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of the keys.Tatoeba #7466895 by Yorwba, translation #2548478 by CK
- Ich habe meinen Schlüssel verloren.I lost my key.
- Ich habe meinen Türschlüssel zu Hause vergessen.I forgot my door key at home.
- Wo liegt mein Schlüsselbund?Where is my keyring?
- Benutzen Sie den Schlüsselbund, um alle Türen zu öffnen.Use the keyring to open all the doors.
- 326 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Hannah are standing in front of their apartment door.
- JulianHannah, hast du die Schlüssel?Hannah, do you have the keys?
- HannahNein, ich kann sie nicht finden.No, I can't find them.
- JulianSind die Schlüssel vielleicht in deiner Jacke?Are the keys perhaps in your jacket?
- HannahAh, da sind sie!Ah, there they are!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Schlüssel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Schlüssel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
