Inklingo
← Dictionary

tecla

TEH-klah/ˈtekla/

key

Also: button
NounfA1
A single, white piano key pressed down by a finger.

📝 In Action

Presiona la tecla Enter para continuar.

A1

Press the Enter key to continue.

El piano tiene ochenta y ocho teclas.

A2

The piano has eighty-eight keys.

Se me quedó pegada una tecla del teclado.

B1

One of my keyboard keys got stuck.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • botón (button)
  • pulsador (button/switch)

Common Collocations

  • tecla de retroceso – backspace key
  • tecla de mayúsculas – shift key
  • aporrear las teclas – to bang on the keys

spot

Also: chord
NounfB2informal
Spain
A hand placing the final piece into a jigsaw puzzle.

📝 In Action

Por fin he dado con la tecla para arreglar el coche.

B2

I've finally found the trick to fixing the car.

No le hables de su ex; le vas a tocar la tecla.

C1

Don't talk to him about his ex; you're going to touch a nerve.

Es difícil dar con la tecla adecuada con este cliente.

C1

It's hard to find the right approach with this client.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • solución (solution)
  • punto (point/spot)

Common Collocations

  • dar en la tecla – to hit the nail on the head / find the solution
  • tocar la tecla – to touch a sensitive subject

Idioms & Expressions

  • Dar en la tecla – To find exactly the right way to do something or the correct answer.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "tecla" in Spanish:

button→chord→key→spot→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: tecla

Question 1 of 3

If you are trying to open your front door, what do you need?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
teclado(keyboard) — Noun
teclear(to type) — Verb
tecladista(keyboard player) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
mezclachancla
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'tegula', which meant a small tile or piece of clay. It evolved to describe the small rectangular pieces on an organ and later on computers.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: teclaItalian: tasto

💡 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

Is 'tecla' used for 'musical key' (like C major)?

No. A musical key (the scale) is called 'tonalidad' or 'clave'. 'Tecla' only refers to the physical ivory or plastic thing you press.

Can I use 'tecla' for a light switch?

Sometimes, yes. In some regions, the flat part of a light switch that you press is called a 'tecla', though 'interruptor' is the formal name.

What is the 'Shift' key in Spanish?

It is most commonly called 'la tecla Mayúsculas'.