Inklingo
← Dictionary

llaves

YAH-behs (or LYAH-behs)/ˈʝaβes/

“llaves” means “keys” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

keys

Also: bunch of keys
NounfA1
A small bunch of shiny silver and brass keys hanging from a simple metal keyring, used for doors or vehicles.

📝 In Action

¿Tienes mis llaves del coche?

A1

Do you have my car keys?

Perdí las llaves de la casa en el parque.

A2

I lost the house keys in the park.

Ella siempre deja las llaves colgadas junto a la puerta.

B1

She always leaves the keys hanging next to the door.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • juego de llaves – set of keys
  • manojo de llaves – bunch of keys

wrenches, spanners

Also: valves, faucets
NounfB1
Spain
A close-up view of two different types of metal wrenches, specifically a crescent wrench and a box-end wrench, lying side by side.

📝 In Action

Necesito un juego de llaves para apretar estos tornillos.

B1

I need a set of wrenches to tighten these screws.

Las llaves de paso del agua están en el sótano.

B2

The water valves (or main stopcocks) are in the basement.

Se dañó una de las llaves que controlan el gas.

B2

One of the valves that control the gas got damaged.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • llaves inglesas – adjustable wrenches
  • llaves de paso – stopcocks/valves

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "llaves" in Spanish:

faucets→keys→spanners→valves→wrenches→

✏️ 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

👥 Word Family▼
llave(key (singular)) — Noun
llavero(keychain) — Noun
llavín(small key/latch key) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word 'clavis', which literally meant 'key' or 'bolt'. The sound change from 'cl' to 'll' is common in Spanish language evolution.

First recorded: Around the 10th century (in Old Spanish as 'clavis').

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: chaveFrench: clef (or clé)

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

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'.