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llave

ya-behˈʎa.be

key

Also: ignition key
NounfA1
A shiny silver key partially inserted into the keyhole of a brass lock attached to a wooden surface.

📝 In Action

Perdí la llave de mi casa y no puedo entrar.

A1

I lost my house key and I can't get in.

Por favor, pon la llave en el contacto para arrancar el coche.

A2

Please, put the key in the ignition to start the car.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • echar la llave – to lock the door (with a key)
  • llave maestra – master key
  • un juego de llaves – a set of keys

Idioms & Expressions

  • bajo llave – under lock and key; securely stored away
  • cerrar con siete llaves – to lock up very securely; to keep a secret very well

wrench

Also: spanner, Allen key
NounfA2
A large adjustable wrench firmly gripping a hexagonal bolt head.

📝 In Action

Necesito una llave para ajustar las tuercas de la bicicleta.

A2

I need a wrench to adjust the nuts on the bicycle.

Pásame la llave inglesa, por favor.

B1

Pass me the adjustable wrench, please.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • llave inglesa – adjustable wrench
  • llave de tubo – pipe wrench
  • llave Allen – Allen key / Allen wrench

faucet

Also: tap, valve
NounfA2
Latin AmericaSpain
A modern silver kitchen faucet with a stream of clear water pouring into a white sink.

📝 In Action

Cierra la llave del agua para que no se desperdicie.

A2

Turn off the water faucet so it's not wasted.

La llave de la cocina está goteando.

B1

The kitchen faucet is dripping.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • abrir la llave – to turn on the faucet
  • cerrar la llave – to turn off the faucet

key

NounfB2
A small, ornate golden key resting beside a large open treasure chest overflowing with gold coins and jewels.

📝 In Action

La comunicación es la llave para una buena relación.

B2

Communication is the key to a good relationship.

Encontraron la llave del misterio en una antigua carta.

C1

They found the key to the mystery in an old letter.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • la llave del éxito – the key to success
  • la llave de la felicidad – the key to happiness

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: llave

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'llave' to talk about a tool?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
llavero(keychain, keyring) — Noun
llavín(small key, latchkey) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word 'clāvis', which also meant 'key'. Over time, the 'cl' sound at the beginning of the word softened in Spanish to become the 'll' sound we hear today.

First recorded: Around the 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: chiaveFrench: clef / cléPortuguese: chave

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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.