clave
/KLAH-veh/
password
Clave can mean "password," the secret needed to unlock access.
clave(noun)
password
?for access to a device or account
,code
?a specific number or sequence
key
?secret identifier
,PIN
?personal identification number
📝 In Action
Olvidé la clave de mi correo electrónico.
A2I forgot my email password.
Por seguridad, cambia tu clave cada mes.
B1For security, change your code every month.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Even though 'clave' refers to a code or password, it is always a feminine noun: 'la clave'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Confusion
Mistake: "El clave (using the masculine article)"
Correction: La clave (always use the feminine article 'la' or 'una').
Clave is used as an adjective meaning "key" or essential.
clave(adjective)
key
?essential or crucial
,crucial
?vitally important
decisive
?determining the outcome
,vital
📝 In Action
La honestidad es un valor clave en nuestra familia.
A2Honesty is a key value in our family.
Identificamos los puntos claves de la negociación.
B1We identified the crucial points of the negotiation.
💡 Grammar Points
The Invariable Adjective
When 'clave' is used as an adjective (meaning key/crucial), it does not change its form to match the gender (masculine/feminine) or number (singular/plural) of the noun it describes. It always stays 'clave'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Placement
The adjective 'clave' almost always follows the noun it modifies: 'una persona clave' (a key person), not 'una clave persona'.
When referring to the solution or central point, the noun clave translates to "key."
clave(noun)
key
?the solution or central point
,crux
?the decisive element
clue
?in a mystery or puzzle
📝 In Action
La clave para resolver este problema es la paciencia.
B1The key to solving this problem is patience.
Su testimonio fue la clave del caso.
B2His testimony was the key to the case.
Clave is also the word for a musical "clef."
📝 In Action
La clave de sol indica las notas altas.
B2The treble clef indicates the high notes.
El director de orquesta explicó la diferencia entre la clave de sol y la clave de fa.
C1The orchestra conductor explained the difference between the treble clef and the bass clef.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: clave
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'clave' as an adjective (describing a noun)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
If 'clave' means 'key', why is it always feminine ('la clave') when talking about passwords, but 'llave' (physical key) is also feminine?
'Clave' (password/code/crucial factor) comes from the Latin word for key (*clavis*), which was feminine. 'Llave' (the physical object you use to open a door) also comes from the same root. So both are feminine, but they refer to different types of 'keys': 'clave' is usually abstract (code, factor), and 'llave' is physical (door key).
Does 'clave' change form when used as an adjective?
No. This is a great thing to remember! When 'clave' describes a noun (meaning crucial or essential), it is 'invariable,' which means it always stays 'clave.' You can say 'el punto clave' (singular, masculine) and 'las preguntas clave' (plural, feminine).