llave
/ya-beh/
key
The most common meaning of llave is a key used for opening a lock.
📝 In Action
Perdí la llave de mi casa y no puedo entrar.
A1I lost my house key and I can't get in.
Por favor, pon la llave en el contacto para arrancar el coche.
A2Please, put the key in the ignition to start the car.
💡 Grammar Points
It's a Feminine Noun
Even though it doesn't end in '-a', 'llave' is a feminine word. So, you always say 'la llave' (the key) or 'una llave' (a key).
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Llave' vs. 'Clave'
Mistake: "Necesito la clave para la puerta."
Correction: Necesito la llave para la puerta. Use 'llave' for a physical object that opens a lock. 'Clave' is for a password, code, or an abstract 'key' to understanding something.
⭐ Usage Tips
Locking Up
To say you're locking a door, a very common and natural phrase is 'echar la llave'. For example: 'No te olvides de echar la llave cuando salgas' (Don't forget to lock the door when you leave).
Llave can also refer to a wrench, a tool used by mechanics.
llave(Noun)
wrench
?a tool for turning nuts and bolts
spanner
?British English for 'wrench'
,Allen key
?specifically 'llave Allen'
📝 In Action
Necesito una llave para ajustar las tuercas de la bicicleta.
A2I need a wrench to adjust the nuts on the bicycle.
Pásame la llave inglesa, por favor.
B1Pass me the adjustable wrench, please.
⭐ Usage Tips
Tool Types
When talking about tools, 'llave' is often followed by another word that specifies the type, like 'llave inglesa' (adjustable wrench) or 'llave de tubo' (pipe wrench).
In many contexts, llave means a faucet or tap used to control the flow of water.
llave(Noun)
faucet
?for water in a sink or bath
tap
?British English for 'faucet'
,valve
?for controlling flow of gas or liquid
📝 In Action
Cierra la llave del agua para que no se desperdicie.
A2Turn off the water faucet so it's not wasted.
La llave de la cocina está goteando.
B1The kitchen faucet is dripping.
⭐ Usage Tips
Regional Word Choice: 'Llave' vs. 'Grifo'
For 'faucet', 'llave' is very common in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. In Spain, you'll almost always hear 'grifo'. Both are correct, it just depends on where you are!
Figuratively, llave is the key (or means) to achieving success or unlocking potential.
📝 In Action
La comunicación es la llave para una buena relación.
B2Communication is the key to a good relationship.
Encontraron la llave del misterio en una antigua carta.
C1They found the key to the mystery in an old letter.
⭐ Usage Tips
Abstract 'Key': 'Llave' vs. 'Clave'
For this meaning, 'llave' and 'clave' are often interchangeable. 'Llave' can feel a bit more poetic or metaphorical, like a physical key unlocking a concept, while 'clave' can feel more like a code or the essential point.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: llave
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'llave' to talk about a tool?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it 'la llave' or 'el llave'?
It's always 'la llave'. Even though it ends in '-e', 'llave' is a feminine noun, so you use feminine articles like 'la' and 'una'.
What's the difference between 'llave' and 'clave'?
Think of 'llave' as a physical object: a key for a door, a wrench for a bolt, or a faucet for water. 'Clave' is usually for something abstract or informational: a password ('la clave del wifi'), a code, or the main point of something ('la clave del asunto').
How do you pronounce the 'll' in 'llave'?
The pronunciation of 'll' varies by region. In many parts of Spain, it sounds like the 'li' in 'million'. In most of Latin America and some parts of Spain, it sounds just like the 'y' in 'yes'. So, you'll hear both 'lya-beh' and 'ya-beh', and both are perfectly understood.