llave
/ˈʝabe/
The Spanish word llave means key.
The word llave is used for both a physical key (like for a door or car) and a wrench (tool).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʝabe/
Did you know?
- In wrestling and martial arts, a submission hold or a joint lock is called a llave.
- In Spanish, llave is a doublet of the word clave. While llave usually refers to a physical tool, clave is used for things like a 'key' to a code or a musical 'clef'.
- The English musical term 'clef', used to indicate the pitch of notes, is a distant linguistic relative of the Spanish llave.
Examples in context
- No olvides llevar la llave contigo antes de salir de casa.Don't forget to take the key with you before leaving home.
- Si perdiste la llave de tu automóvil, tendrás que llamar a un cerrajero.If you lost your car key, you'll have to call a locksmith.
- La llave de la casaThe house key
- Busco la llave de la casa.I am looking for the house key.
- ¿Dónde dejaste la llave del coche?Where did you leave the car key?
- He perdido la llave de mi oficina.I have lost my office key.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are arriving at the front door of their apartment.
- DanielElena, ¿tienes tú la llave?Elena, do you have the key?
- ElenaNo, creo que la dejaste tú.No, I think you left it.
- DanielEs verdad, la llave está en el coche.That's true, the key is in the car.
- ElenaVe rápido a buscarla, Daniel.Go quickly and get it, Daniel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry llave, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries llave, CC BY-SA 4.0.
