Key in Different Languages
Discover 'Key' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'key' holds great significance in our daily lives, often representing the solution to a problem or the means to access something valuable. Culturally, keys have been used in various ways, from symbolizing power and status to unlocking the secrets of the universe in mythology. For instance, in ancient Egypt, keys were associated with the goddess of fertility and childbirth, demonstrating their cultural importance.
Given the word's universal importance, it's no surprise that people might want to know its translation in different languages. Understanding the nuances of this simple yet powerful term in various languages can help bridge cultural gaps and foster global connections.
For example, in Spanish, 'key' is 'llave'; in French, it's 'clé'; in German, it's 'Schlüssel'; and in Japanese, it's 'カギ' (kagi). These translations not only provide insight into the linguistic diversity of the world but also reveal fascinating cultural contexts.
Discover more translations of the word 'key' and deepen your appreciation for the richness of language and culture around the globe.
Key
Key in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | sleutel | ||
| The word "sleutel" is a cognate of the English word "slot" and can also mean "gate" or "lock". | |||
| Amharic | ቁልፍ | ||
| In Amharic, "ቁልፍ" can also refer to a lock or bolt. | |||
| Hausa | mabuɗi | ||
| The Hausa word "mabuɗi" can also refer to a person with significant power or influence. | |||
| Igbo | igodo | ||
| The word "igodo" also means "a small gate" in Igbo. | |||
| Malagasy | andinin- | ||
| Possibly a cognate of Proto-Austronesian *kani "tooth" or Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kani "tooth", from the serrations on a key. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | chinsinsi | ||
| The Nyanja word "chinsinsi" is also used to refer to a small, flat piece of wood or metal used to play a game similar to marbles. | |||
| Shona | kiyi | ||
| The Shona word "kiyi" can also refer to a small door or a latch. | |||
| Somali | fure | ||
| Somali "fure" can also mean "a way, path, or method." | |||
| Sesotho | senotlolo | ||
| The word "senotlolo" has several synonyms and alternate meanings in Sesotho, including "doorway", "opening", and "entrance." | |||
| Swahili | ufunguo | ||
| The word "ufunguo" in Swahili comes from the verb "fungua," meaning "to open," and ultimately derives from the proto-Bantu root "-bungu-," also meaning "to open." | |||
| Xhosa | isitshixo | ||
| "Isitshixo" can also refer to a clue, solution, or explanation in Xhosa. | |||
| Yoruba | bọtini | ||
| The word "bọtini" is also used to refer to the key of a musical instrument like the piano. | |||
| Zulu | ukhiye | ||
| According to the online Zulu-English dictionary, "ukhiye" can also mean "the art of hunting" | |||
| Bambara | kile | ||
| Ewe | asafui | ||
| Kinyarwanda | urufunguzo | ||
| Lingala | fungola | ||
| Luganda | ekisumuluzo | ||
| Sepedi | khii | ||
| Twi (Akan) | safoa | ||
Key in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | مفتاح | ||
| The etymology of "مفتاح" (key) in Arabic is most likely from the root "فتح" (to open), suggesting its primary function as a means to unlock. | |||
| Hebrew | מַפְתֵחַ | ||
| The word "מַפְתֵחַ" (key) is derived from the root "פתח" (to open), as it is the object that opens a lock. | |||
| Pashto | کیلي | ||
| In Pashto, 'کیلي' (key) can also refer to a musical instrument or a doorkeeper. | |||
| Arabic | مفتاح | ||
| The etymology of "مفتاح" (key) in Arabic is most likely from the root "فتح" (to open), suggesting its primary function as a means to unlock. | |||
Key in Western European Languages
| Albanian | celës | ||
| The word "Celës" in Albanian is derived from the Latin word "clavis", which also means "key" and is the root of the English word "clef". | |||
| Basque | gakoa | ||
| The Basque word "gakoa" translates to "key" and is derived from the root "gaitu," meaning "to open". | |||
| Catalan | clau | ||
| The word "clau" also means "clue" in Catalan, reflecting its role in unlocking secrets and solving mysteries. | |||
| Croatian | ključ | ||
| In Slovene, the word "ključ" also means "spring" as in a water source. | |||
| Danish | nøgle | ||
| The Danish word "nøgle" shares the same root with the English word "nightingale" and originally meant "night-song". | |||
| Dutch | sleutel | ||
| The word "sleutel" in Dutch comes from the Old Saxon word "sletil", which means "to lock" or "to bolt." | |||
| English | key | ||
| The word "key" comes from the Old English word "cæg", which means "lock" or "bolt", and is related to the Latin word "clavis", which also means "key". | |||
| French | clé | ||
| Clé is also synonymous with 'tone', 'tuning key' or 'wrench', and comes from the Latin 'clavis', meaning 'instrument for closing'. | |||
| Frisian | kaai | ||
| Frisian “kaai” is cognate with Old English “cæg” (“key”), ultimately deriving from Latin “clavis” (“key”). | |||
| Galician | clave | ||
| The Galician word clave also means "club" and comes from the Latin word "clava", meaning "club" or "cudgel". | |||
| German | schlüssel | ||
| In some German dialects, "Schlüssel" also means "treble clef". | |||
| Icelandic | lykill | ||
| The Icelandic word "lykill" also means "clue". | |||
| Irish | eochair | ||
| The Irish word "eochair" also refers to a door lock | |||
| Italian | chiave | ||
| The Italian word "chiave" also means "code" in a more metaphorical sense, such as the code to a secret message. | |||
| Luxembourgish | schlëssel | ||
| "Schlëssel" is derived from the Latin word "clavis", which also means "key". | |||
| Maltese | ċavetta | ||
| The word "ċavetta" is derived from the Sicilian word "ciave" which is a cognate of Latin "clavis", meaning "key." | |||
| Norwegian | nøkkel | ||
| The Norwegian word 'nøkkel' is cognate with the English word 'key' and shares the same Proto-Indo-European root *klei-, meaning 'to bolt or close'. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | chave | ||
| "Chave" comes from the Latin word "clavis", and it can also mean "code", "password" or "answer". | |||
| Scots Gaelic | iuchair | ||
| The term "iuchair" is derived from the Old Irish word "eochur" or "iuchur" and can also refer to a bolt or bar. | |||
| Spanish | llave | ||
| The Spanish word "llave" originated from the Latin word "clavis" and additionally means "lock". | |||
| Swedish | nyckel- | ||
| 'Nyckel' ('key') is also used in the sense of 'skeleton key'. | |||
| Welsh | allwedd | ||
| The word "allwedd" is cognate with Latin "clavis" and Sanskrit "kalida" and also means "secret" in Welsh. | |||
Key in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | ключ | ||
| The word "ключ" in Belarusian also has the meaning of "spring" or "source of water". | |||
| Bosnian | ključ | ||
| The word 'ključ' can also refer to a type of bird, a spring, or a device used to lock and unlock something. | |||
| Bulgarian | ключ | ||
| In Russian, the word "ключ" also means "spring" (source of water), and this meaning dates back to the Proto-Slavic language. | |||
| Czech | klíč | ||
| "Klíč" also denotes a musical clef and a spanner in Czech. | |||
| Estonian | võti | ||
| The word "võti" also refers to a spring in a mechanism or a musical instrument's valve or key. | |||
| Finnish | avain | ||
| The Finnish word "avain" comes from the Proto-Finnic word "avain_", cognate with the Estonian word "avama" and the Votic word "avama", all meaning "to open". | |||
| Hungarian | kulcs | ||
| The word 'kulcs' may have originated from the Proto-Turkic *küč, meaning 'strength, power' or from the Proto-Ugric *kulča, meaning 'stick, pole'. | |||
| Latvian | taustiņu | ||
| Taustiņu (key) can also refer to a piano key, or to a button on a device. | |||
| Lithuanian | raktas | ||
| The Lithuanian word "Raktas" is cognate with the Latin word "clavis" (key), also meaning "key" in English. | |||
| Macedonian | клуч | ||
| In Bulgarian, the word "клуч" can also refer to a crane (the bird), while in Russian it can mean a spring (as in a watch). | |||
| Polish | klucz | ||
| The word "klucz" also means "flock" or "herd" in Polish, due to its historical use as a counting tool for cattle. | |||
| Romanian | cheie | ||
| The Romanian word "cheie" might be derived from either the Latin "clavis" or the Greek "kleidi". | |||
| Russian | ключ | ||
| The word "ключ" also means "spring" (as in a source of water) in Russian, a fact related to the ancient belief that water sources were guarded by spirits. | |||
| Serbian | кључ | ||
| The word "кључ" also means "spring" (as in a water source), deriving from Proto-Slavic *kljutsь, where Slavic *klju- meant "to flow". | |||
| Slovak | kľúč | ||
| In Slovak, the word "kľúč" can also refer to a "musical clef" or a "spring (of water)" | |||
| Slovenian | tipko | ||
| The word "tipko" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "ključь", meaning "key" or "hook". | |||
| Ukrainian | ключ | ||
| In Russian, "ключ" also means a spring or fountain, while in Ukrainian it refers to a key, a spanner, a wrench, a switch, or a solution to a problem. | |||
Key in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | মূল | ||
| The word "মূল" can also mean "foundation" or "origin" in Bengali. | |||
| Gujarati | કી | ||
| "કી" is not only a "key" but also a "flower" and "a small hut". | |||
| Hindi | चाभी | ||
| The Hindi word "चाभी" can also refer to the "key person" in a situation. | |||
| Kannada | ಕೀ | ||
| In addition to its primary meaning of a key, "ಕೀ" also means "a musical note" in Kannada. | |||
| Malayalam | കീ | ||
| The Malayalam word "കീ" (key) is also an alternate spelling of "കീറ" (tear). | |||
| Marathi | की | ||
| In Marathi, "की" can also refer to a musical note or a particle denoting a question. | |||
| Nepali | कुञ्जी | ||
| "कुञ्जी" (key) originally meant "hook" in Nepali, and the word for "hook" is still used to refer to a key in some contexts. | |||
| Punjabi | ਕੁੰਜੀ | ||
| In Punjabi, the word "ਕੁੰਜੀ" can also refer to a lock, a secret, or the key to solving a puzzle. | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | යතුර | ||
| The word යතුර (key) is derived from the Sanskrit word 'yatra' meaning 'journey' or 'path'. | |||
| Tamil | விசை | ||
| In Tamil, "விசை" also refers to a musical note or a vital aspect, concept, or element. | |||
| Telugu | కీ | ||
| "కీ" can also be used as an exclamation to express impatience, similar to "tch" in English. | |||
| Urdu | چابی | ||
| The word "چابی" in Urdu derives from the Persian word "klīd", which means "key".} | |||
Key in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 键 | ||
| In Chinese, '键' not only means 'key', but also can refer to a piano key or a computer keyboard key. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 鍵 | ||
| "鍵" is also a Chinese surname and a Japanese surname. | |||
| Japanese | キー | ||
| The word "キー" can also mean "key point" or "tonic" in music. | |||
| Korean | 키 | ||
| 키 ('key') shares the same root as 'gate' (문: mun) possibly suggesting the original meaning was 'that which opens the gate'. | |||
| Mongolian | түлхүүр | ||
| Some meanings of Mongolian word "түлхүүр" ("key") include "reason", "motive", "solution to a problem", "tool" and "instrument". | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | သော့ | ||
| သော့ (key) is a monomorphemic word, with no known etymology or alternate meanings | |||
Key in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | kunci | ||
| The word "kunci" can also mean "lock" or "bolt" in Indonesian. | |||
| Javanese | kunci | ||
| In Javanese, "kunci" can also mean "power" or "authority." | |||
| Khmer | កូនសោ | ||
| The word "កូនសោ" in Khmer has multiple meanings, some of which include "key", "child of a blacksmith", and "small nail on a traditional ox-cart." | |||
| Lao | ກຸນແຈ | ||
| The Lao word ກຸນແຈ is cognate with the Thai word กุญแจ (kunci) which in turn was borrowed from the Portuguese word "chave". | |||
| Malay | kunci | ||
| The Malay word "kunci" is derived from the Javanese word "kunci", meaning "lock" or "bolt". | |||
| Thai | สำคัญ | ||
| "สำคัญ" also means "important" in Thai. | |||
| Vietnamese | chìa khóa | ||
| The Vietnamese word "Chìa khóa" also refers to a specific type of Vietnamese lock. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | susi | ||
Key in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | açar | ||
| "Açar" is the Azerbaijani reflex of Middle Persian "ācār", which meant "to open", and it was later borrowed into Ottoman Turkish with the meaning of "key". | |||
| Kazakh | кілт | ||
| The Kazakh word "кілт" not only means "key", but also refers to a small lock used on chests or suitcases. | |||
| Kyrgyz | ачкыч | ||
| The word "ачкыч" is derived from the verb "ачуу" (to open). | |||
| Tajik | калид | ||
| "Калид" may also refer to "an instrument for opening locks" in Tajik. | |||
| Turkmen | açary | ||
| Uzbek | kalit | ||
| In Uzbek, the word 'kalit' is derived from the Proto-Turkic word 'kalıg', meaning 'to open', also referring to 'locks' or 'fortresses'. | |||
| Uyghur | ئاچقۇچ | ||
Key in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | kī | ||
| The Hawaiian word "kī" also means "to open," "to unlock," "to release," or "to let go." | |||
| Maori | kī | ||
| The word "kī" can also mean "to speak" or "to say" in Māori. | |||
| Samoan | ki | ||
| The Samoan term "ki" is also commonly used as a preposition signifying "to" or "towards". | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | susi | ||
| Susi, the Tagalog word for "key," also means "answer" or "solution" | |||
Key in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | llawi | ||
| Guarani | ndavoka | ||
Key in International Languages
| Esperanto | ŝlosilo | ||
| The Esperanto word "ŝlosilo" ultimately derives from the Polish word "klucz", which also means "key". | |||
| Latin | clavis | ||
| Clavis can also mean "a guide" or "a device for closing a door or window" in Latin. | |||
Key in Others Languages
| Greek | κλειδί | ||
| Στη σύγχρονη λαϊκή γλώσσα, η λέξη «κλειδί» εκτός από το βασικό της νόημα, έχει λάβει και τη σημασία της λύσης σε ένα πρόβλημα ή μυστήριο. | |||
| Hmong | tus yuam sij | ||
| Tus yuam sij can also mean "to unlock" in Hmong. | |||
| Kurdish | qûfle | ||
| The word 'qûfle' can also refer to a lock or a keyhole in Kurdish. | |||
| Turkish | anahtar | ||
| "Anahtar" comes from the Proto-Turkic word "anaγtar" and is still used as a verb with the meaning of "to lock" in some Turkic languages like Uzbek. | |||
| Xhosa | isitshixo | ||
| "Isitshixo" can also refer to a clue, solution, or explanation in Xhosa. | |||
| Yiddish | שליסל | ||
| In Yiddish, the word "shlisel" is also used to refer to a musical instrument such as a clarinet or a recorder. | |||
| Zulu | ukhiye | ||
| According to the online Zulu-English dictionary, "ukhiye" can also mean "the art of hunting" | |||
| Assamese | চাবি | ||
| Aymara | llawi | ||
| Bhojpuri | चाभी | ||
| Dhivehi | ތަޅުދަނޑި | ||
| Dogri | चाबी | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | susi | ||
| Guarani | ndavoka | ||
| Ilocano | susi | ||
| Krio | ki | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | کلیل | ||
| Maithili | चाबी | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯁꯣ | ||
| Mizo | chahbi | ||
| Oromo | furtuu | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ଚାବି | ||
| Quechua | kichana | ||
| Sanskrit | कुंजी | ||
| Tatar | ачкыч | ||
| Tigrinya | መፍትሕ | ||
| Tsonga | khiya | ||