Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cerrar con llave | /θeˌraɾ kon ˈʝabe/ | |
| cerrar con seguro | /θeraɾ kon seɡuɾo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /seraɾ kon seɡuɾo/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| cerrar con llavín | /θeraɾ kon ʝabin/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /seraɾ kon ʝabin/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| acerrojar | /aθeroˈxaɾ/ /aseroˈxaɾ/ |
|
| candar | /kanˈdaɾ/ | |
| trancar | /tɾanˈkaɾ/ | |
| atrancar | /atɾanˈkaɾ/ | |
| trabar | /tɾaˈbaɾ/ | |
| poner seguro | /poneɾ seɡuɾo/ (from spelling rules) | |
| enllavar | /enʝaˈbaɾ/ | |
| llavear | /ʝabeˈaɾ/ | |
| apestillar | /apestiʝaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | |
| llavir | /ʝaˈbiɾ/ | Argentina |
The expression cerrar con llave is used specifically when you are using a physical key to engage a lock. Other options include cerrar con seguro or poner seguro, which are common ways to say you are engaging a lock or setting a safety mechanism on a device or door. If you are locking a door or gate with a heavy bolt or bar, trancar is often used.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cerrar con llave literally means 'to close with key'.
Which one should you use?
While cerrar con llave focuses on the use of a physical key, trancar is better suited for locking or bolting something with a heavy bar or bolt. Poner seguro emphasizes the act of engaging a lock or a safety mechanism.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, you may hear the term llavir to mean to lock. In Spain, the noun pestillo is used to refer to a lock or a latch. In some Latin American countries, the word chapa is used interchangeably with other words for lock, such as cerradura or cerrojo.
Related words
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the noun llave (key) as a verb. English speakers sometimes try to use it as a verb to mean 'to lock', but in Spanish, you must use a full verbal phrase such as cerrar con llave.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word llave does not only refer to a door key but is also the word for a 'wrench' or 'spanner'.
- The Spanish word for key, llave, is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'clef' used in music. Both words share a common ancestor that refers to a tool used for opening or fastening.
- The word chapa used for 'lock' in some Latin American countries literally means 'sheet metal' or 'plate'.
Examples in context
- Nos olvidamos de trancar la puerta.We forgot to lock the door.This sentence shows how to use trancar to say you forgot to lock a door.Tatoeba #3211179 by wallebot, translation #2311173 by Hybrid
- ¿Se puede cerrar con llave las puertas de la sala de reuniones?Is it possible to lock the doors of the meeting room?This sentence uses cerrar con llave to ask if meeting room doors can be locked.Tatoeba #1650986 by Shishir, translation #1650628 by Amastan
- ¿Quién ha sido que olvidó cerrar con llave la puerta del almacén?Who was it that forgot to lock the door of the warehouse?This sentence uses cerrar con llave to ask who forgot to lock the warehouse door.Tatoeba #4934271 by albrusgher, translation #273976 by CK
- Por favor, asegúrate de cerrar la cerradura al salir.Please make sure to lock the lock when you leave.
- Necesito comprar una cerradura nueva para la puerta principal.I need to buy a new lock for the front door.
- El cerrojo de la puerta está roto.The door's lock is broken.
- El armario se cierra con llave.The cabinet locks.
- Puedes cerrar la habitación con llave si lo prefieres.You can lock the room if you prefer.
- Asegúrate de asegurar bien la ventana antes de salir.Make sure to lock the window securely before leaving.
- Siempre aseguro mi bicicleta con una cadena.I always lock my bike with a chain.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are leaving their house.
- Sofía¿Ya cerraste con llave la puerta principal?Did you already lock the front door?
- JavierNo, creo que olvidé hacerlo.No, I think I forgot to do it.
- SofíaPor favor, ve a cerrar con llave ahora.Please, go lock it now.
- JavierEstá bien, Sofía, ya voy.Alright, Sofía, I'm going.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lock” translations and entries cerrar con llave, acerrojar, candar, trancar, atrancar, trabar, enllavar, llavear, llavir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acerrojar, cerrar, cerrar con llave, con, llave, seguro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
