How do you use "key" in a sentence?

I've lost my house key somewhere in the office. Communication is the key to a healthy relationship. She plays a key role in the organisation's success.

key

Vocabulary Word BritishAmerican ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Significado: A small metal instrument used to open locks; something essential or crucial

钥匙，关键，要素

llave, clave, elemento clave

鍵、キー、重要な要素

열쇠; 핵심; 중요한

The word 'key' primarily refers to a small metal instrument used to open locks, but it has many figurative meanings as well. It can describe something essential or crucial to achieving a result, such as 'the key to success.' As an adjective, it means of vital importance.

「key」主要指用于开锁的小金属工具，但也有许多比喻含义。它可以描述对取得成果至关重要的东西，如「the key to success（成功的关键）」。作为形容词时，表示极其重要。

La palabra «key» se refiere principalmente a un pequeño instrumento metálico usado para abrir cerraduras, pero también tiene muchos significados figurados. Puede describir algo esencial o crucial para lograr un resultado, como «the key to success» (la clave del éxito). Como adjetivo, significa de vital importancia.

「key」は主に錠を開けるための小さな金属製の道具を指しますが、多くの比喩的な意味も持っています。「the key to success（成功の鍵）」のように、結果を達成するために不可欠なものを表すこともできます。形容詞として使うと、極めて重要という意味になります。

'key'는 주로 자물쇠를 여는 데 쓰는 작은 금속 도구를 가리키지만, 비유적 의미도 많습니다. 어떤 결과를 달성하는 데 필수적이거나 결정적인 것을 묘사할 수 있으며, 예를 들어 'the key to success'처럼 씁니다. 형용사로는 매우 중요하다는 뜻입니다.

Ejemplos

I've lost my house key somewhere in the office.
我把家里的钥匙弄丢在办公室某处了。
He perdido la llave de casa en algún lugar de la oficina.
家の鍵をオフィスのどこかで失くしてしまいました。
집 열쇠를 사무실 어딘가에서 잃어버렸습니다.
Communication is the key to a healthy relationship.
沟通是健康关系的关键。
La comunicación es la clave de una relación sana.
コミュニケーションは健全な関係の鍵です。
소통은 건강한 관계의 핵심입니다.
She plays a key role in the organisation's success.
她在组织的成功中扮演着关键角色。
Ella desempeña un papel clave en el éxito de la organización.
彼女は組織の成功において重要な役割を果たしています。
그녀는 조직의 성공에 핵심적인 역할을 하고 있습니다.

Pronunciación

Guía de uso

Contexto: general

Tono: neutral

Origen e historia

From Old English 'cǣg', of unknown origin with no known cognates in other Germanic languages — one of the genuine mysteries of English etymology. The metaphorical sense of 'something that unlocks understanding' emerged in the 14th century.

Contexto cultural

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Historia y curiosidades

From Old English 'cæg,' the word's origin is mysterious and has no known cognates in other Germanic languages. The metaphorical sense of 'something that opens or explains' emerged in the 14th century, reflecting how physical keys unlock doors just as knowledge unlocks understanding.

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