llaves
/YAH-behs (or LYAH-behs)/
keys
Llaves (keys) are essential for opening doors and locks.
llaves(noun)
keys
?for doors, locks, or starting a vehicle
bunch of keys
?when referring to a set
📝 In Action
¿Tienes mis llaves del coche?
A1Do you have my car keys?
Perdí las llaves de la casa en el parque.
A2I lost the house keys in the park.
Ella siempre deja las llaves colgadas junto a la puerta.
B1She always leaves the keys hanging next to the door.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Even though 'llaves' ends in -es, the singular word 'llave' is feminine, so you must always use feminine words like 'las' or 'mis' with it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Gender
Mistake: "El llave (Incorrect male article)"
Correction: La llave (It must be feminine).
⭐ Usage Tips
Keys vs. Password
In technology, the word for a 'key' (like an encryption key or password key) is usually 'clave' or 'código', not 'llave'.
Llaves can also refer to wrenches, tools used for turning nuts and bolts.
llaves(noun)
wrenches
?tools for gripping and turning
,spanners
?UK term for wrenches
valves
?mechanisms controlling the flow of liquid or gas
,faucets
?tap for water (especially in parts of Spain)
📝 In Action
Necesito un juego de llaves para apretar estos tornillos.
B1I need a set of wrenches to tighten these screws.
Las llaves de paso del agua están en el sótano.
B2The water valves (or main stopcocks) are in the basement.
Se dañó una de las llaves que controlan el gas.
B2One of the valves that control the gas got damaged.
💡 Grammar Points
Specific Tools
When talking about tools, 'llaves' often needs an adjective to specify the type, like 'llaves inglesas' (adjustable wrenches) or 'llaves Allen' (Allen keys).
⭐ Usage Tips
Regional Differences
In many Latin American countries, 'grifo' is used for a faucet, while in Spain, 'llave' or 'llave de agua' might be used.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: llaves
Question 1 of 2
If you are asking a mechanic for tools to fix a machine, what does 'unas llaves' most likely refer to?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'llaves' means keys or tools?
Context is everything! If you are talking about unlocking something (car, house, door), it means 'keys.' If you are talking about construction, plumbing, or mechanics, it means 'wrenches' or 'valves/taps.'
Why is 'llaves' plural if I'm just talking about one key?
'Llaves' is only used for the plural form (two or more keys/wrenches). If you only have one key, you use the singular, feminine word: 'la llave'.