cerrar con llave
/θeˌraɾ kon ˈʝabe/
To lock in Spanish is to say cerrar con llave. Wiktionary also lists cerrar con seguro and cerrar con llavín.
Meaning: to fasten with a lock (verb)
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 phrase cerrar con llave is the most common and standard way to express the action of locking in most Spanish-speaking contexts. Other forms like trancar are specifically used when referring to locking or bolting doors and gates with a heavy bolt or bar.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cerrar con llave literally translates to to close with key.
Which one should you use?
While cerrar means to close, cerrar con llave specifically implies that you are using a physical key to do so. Other forms like trancar suggest using a bolt or bar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the term llavir is used for locking. In Argentina, Uruguay and parts of Spain, the word chapa is used to refer to a lock. In Spain and various Latin American countries, including Mexico, cerrojo is used to represent a lock or latch.
Related words
Did you know?
- The Spanish word for 'key', llave, is a linguistic relative of the musical term 'clef' in English. Both words share a common ancestor that describes a tool used to open or close something.
- The term seguro used in poner seguro means 'safe' or 'secure' as an adjective, but here it functions as a noun referring to the lock mechanism itself.
- In some contexts, you might hear the word apestillar to describe locking something. This specifically refers to using a latch or a bolt to secure a door or window.
Examples in context
- Nos olvidamos de trancar la puerta.We forgot to lock the door.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use trancar.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 is useful for seeing how to use cerrar con llave.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?Tatoeba #4934271 by albrusgher, translation #273976 by CK
- Todas las puertas de la casa tienen una cerradura de seguridad.All the doors in the house have a security lock.
- Por favor, asegúrese de que el cierre de la ventana esté bien ajustado.Please make sure the window lock is properly adjusted.
- ¿Puedes pasar el candado para asegurar la bicicleta?Can you pass me the lock to secure the bicycle?
- Ponle la tranca a la puerta antes de salir.Put the lock on the door before you leave.
- Voy a poner el cerrojo para mayor seguridad.I'm going to put on the lock for extra security.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are leaving their apartment for the evening.
- LucíaNo olvides cerrar con llave la puerta principal.Don't forget to lock the main door.
- MateoTranquila, ya voy a cerrar con llave.Don't worry, I'm going to lock it now.
- Lucía¿Tienes las llaves en tu bolsillo, Mateo?Do you have the keys in your pocket, Mateo?
- MateoSí, las tengo conmigo.Yes, I have them with me.
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.
