key

a small piece of metal with a special shape that you use to open or close a lock

llave, llavín

• have a key to something

Collocations key to the door · house key

• I lost my house key.

  Perdí la llave de casa.

something that is very important or necessary for a particular situation, especially one in which there are many different things to consider

clave, elemento crucial

• be the key to something

Collocations key factor · key issue

• Finding a job is the key to success.

  Encontrar un trabajo es la clave para el éxito.

to use a key to open or close something

abrir con una llave, cerrar con una llave

• take the key out of your pocket and unlock the door

Collocations unlock a door with a key · lock something with a key

• He took the key out of his pocket and unlocked the door.

  Sacó la llave del bolsillo y abrió la puerta.

to be very important or necessary for a particular situation, especially one in which there are many different things to consider

ser crucial para algo, ser importante en algo

• be the key to something

Collocations key to success · key to understanding

• Education is the key to a better future.

  La educación es la clave para un futuro mejor.