| Principal Translations |
| key n | (device that opens a lock) | llave nf |
| | I can't find the key to unlock the door. |
| | No encuentro las llave para abrir la puerta. |
| key n | (software: code) | clave nf |
| | The software has a key that you have to type in to be able to use it. |
| | Este programa tiene una clave que tienes que teclear para poder usarlo. |
| key n | (button on a computer keyboard) | tecla nf |
| | After finishing a line, you need to hit the Enter key. |
| | Al final de cada renglón, tienes que presionar la tecla Enter. |
| key n | (music: D major, etc.) | nota nf |
| | (formal) | tonalidad nf |
| | The song was written in the key of D major. |
| | Transition is a movement from one key to another. |
| | La canción estaba escrita en la nota re mayor. |
| | Es un movimiento de una tonalidad a otra. |
| key n | (legend on a map) (Cartografía) | leyenda, simbología nf |
| | | clave nf |
| | What does this symbol mean? I can't find it in the key. |
| | ¿Qué significa este símbolo? No lo encuentro la leyenda. |
| key n | (on a piano, etc.) | tecla nf |
| | A piano has many white and black keys. |
| | El piano tiene muchas teclas negras y blancas. |
key,
key to [sth] n | (solution) | clave nf |
| | The key to solving the puzzle is to eliminate the incorrect answers. |
| | La clave para resolver el crucigrama es eliminar todas las respuestas incorrectas. |
| the key to [sth] n | (most important thing) | la clave para, la clave de nf + prep |
| | | el secreto para, el secreto de nm + prep |
| | The key to getting into this college is to perform well at interview. |
| | La clave para entrar a esta universidad es quedar bien en la entrevista. |
| key n | (on a mechanism, for winding) | llave nf |
| | I've lost the key for the grandfather clock. |
| | He perdido la llave del reloj del abuelo. |
| Additional Translations |
| key adj | (most important) | clave adj mf |
| | | más importante loc adj |
| | The key ingredient is garlic. |
| | These are the key figures for the project. |
| | El ingrediente clave es el ajo. |
| key n | (in a dictionary) | guía nf |
| | | nomenclatura nf |
| | The dictionary's key explains all the abbreviations. |
| | La guía del diccionario explica todas las abreviaturas. |
| | La nomenclatura del diccionario explica el significado de todas las abreviaturas. |
| key n | (style, tone) | tenor nm |
| | | estilo nm |
| | Her house is decorated in a very soft key. |
| | La decoración de su casa es de un tenor muy suave. |
| | El estilo de su casa es suave. |
| key n | (keystone) | clave nf |
| | Look at the key of the arch. |
| | Mira la clave del arco. |
| key n | (island reef) | cayo nm |
| | | arrecife nm |
| | Key West is one of the Florida Keys. |
| | Key West es uno de los cayos de Florida. |
| | Key West es uno de los arrecifes de Florida. |
| key n | (can opener) | anillo nm |
| | You open the sardine tin with the key that's attached to the lid. |
| | Abre la lata de sardinas con el anillo que está pegado a la tapa. |
| key [sth]⇒ vtr | (musical instrument: set pitch) | afinar⇒ vtr |
| | The guitar needs to be keyed higher than that. |
| | Hay que afinar la guitarra un tono más alto. |
| key [sth] vtr | (scratch with a key) | rayar con una llave vtr + loc adv |
| | Annoyed to find a car parked half on the pavement, Audrey keyed it. |
| | Molesta por encontrar un coche mitad aparcado sobre la acera, Audrey lo rayó con una llave. |
| key [sth] into [sth] vtr + prep | (data: type in) (AmL) | tipear⇒ vtr |
| | | teclear⇒ vtr |
| | She keyed the data into a spreadsheet. |
| | Tipeó los datos en una hoja de cálculo. |
| | Tecleó los datos en una hoja de cálculo. |
Locuciones verbales
key | keying |
| key [sth] in vtr phrasal sep | (enter by typing) | teclear⇒ vtr |
| | (AR) | tipear⇒ vtr |
| | Key in your name and email address on the online application form. |
| | Teclea tu número y dirección de correo electrónico en el formulario en línea. |
key on [sb/sth],
key in on [sb/sth] vtr phrasal insep | US (single out as important) | destacarse sobre v prnl + prep |
| | | resaltar⇒ vtr |
| | The basketball team keyed in on their opponent's star player. |
| | El equipo de básquet se destacó sobre el jugador estrella del oponente. |
key [sb] up,
key up [sb] vtr phrasal sep | (excite) | entusiasmar a vtr + prep |
| | | exaltar a vtr + prep |