key

About this kanji

The kanji 「鍵」 means "key" and is used as a noun. It can refer to both physical keys and concepts of unlocking or access. Some common compounds include 鍵盤 (けんばん), which means "keyboard," such as on a piano; 鍵穴 (かぎあな), meaning "keyhole"; and 合鍵 (あいかぎ), which means "duplicate key". This kanji is often associated with security and access. A practical usage note is that when you want to specify types of keys or mechanisms involving keys, this kanji is essential, especially in everyday conversations about locks, music, or technology.

Example sentences

• 鍵を無くしてしまった。

  I lost my key.

Meanings across languages

English

key

Tiếng Việt

chìa khóa

日本語

鍵

한국어

열쇠

中文

钥匙

id

kunci

th

กุญแจ

es

clave

fr

clé

de

Schlüssel

pt

chave

Common compounds

• 鍵盤けんばんkeyboard (of a piano, typewriter, etc.)
• 鍵穴かぎあなkeyhole
• 黒鍵こっけんblack key (on a piano, organ, etc.)
• 打鍵だけんkeystroke
• 合鍵あいかぎduplicate key, master key, passkey
• 鍵束かぎたばbunch of keys
• 関鍵かんけんlocking doors, lock and key, vital point
• 秘鍵ひけんhidden mysteries, secret principle