Japanese word

キー

Pronunciation

Romajikī

Meaning

  • nounkey

Example

このキーでドアを開けます。ko no kī de do a o a ke ma su

I open the door with this key.

Illustration for キー (key)

More examples

車のキーをバッグに入れました。kuruma no kī o ba ggu ni i re ma shi ta

I put the car key in my bag.

Core concept

A key is a small device whose shape controls access through a matching lock.

Common phrases

  • キーを回すkī o mawa su

    turn the key

  • キーを差し込むkī o sa shi ko mu

    insert the key

  • キーを抜くkī o nu ku

    remove the key

Similar words

鍵kagi: A Japanese word for a tool that opens a matching lock, often made of metal.

Definition in Japanese

特定の錠に合う形をしており、差し込んで操作することで扉などの施錠や解錠を行う道具。toku tei no jō ni a u katachi o shi te o ri sa shi ko n de sō sa su ru ko to de tobira na do no se jō ya kai jō o okona u dō gu

Word origin

キー (kī) is the Japanese borrowing of English key, ultimately related to Old English cǣg, meaning "key".

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, キー (kī) is also used for a button or control on a keyboard, while the door-opening sense is understood from the surrounding context.

Word lists with this word