钥匙 yàoshi key
How to remember 钥匙: 钥 key + 匙 spoon = key.
Characters
How it is used
- Key (for a lock) - 一把钥匙 (yì bǎ yàoshi) a key; 车钥匙 (chē yàoshi) car key.
- Measure word is 把 (bǎ). Second syllable is neutral tone: yàoshi (the char 匙 is chí on its own, but here reads shi).
- Distinct from 关键 (guānjiàn, 'key' in the figurative sense of crucial). 钥匙 is only the physical object.
Example sentences
- 我钥匙丢了。 Wǒ yàoshi diū le.I lost my key.
- 他转动钥匙。 Tā zhuǎndòng yàoshi.He turned the key.
- 我把钥匙交给了房东。 Wǒ bǎ yàoshi jiāogěile fángdōng.I gave my key to the landlord.