鑰 (yào) - Key — an instrument for locking and unlocking & crucial element or solution.

鑰Tone 4

yào ｜ 25 strokes ｜ radical:

嬿一

鑰 · yào

Key — an instrument for locking and unlocking;

crucial element or solution.

Key — an instrument for locking and unlockingcrucial element or solution.

Usage highlights

KeyKey positionKey pointKey linkKey technologyMaster key

Synonyms

  • 钥匙— key (physical object)
  • 关键— crucial point, key element

Antonyms

  • 锁— lock (complementary object)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I need the key to open the door (钥匙).
  • This is the key to solving the problem (问题的关键).
  • He holds the key position in the company (关键职位).
  • Password is the key to accessing the system (密码是进入系统的钥匙).

Collocations

  • Key(钥匙)
  • Key position(关键位置)
  • Key point(关键点)
  • Key link(关键环节)
  • Key technology(关键技术)
  • Master key(万能钥匙)

Idioms

  • The key to the city(城门钥匙)
  • Hold the key position(执掌关键)
  • The key link(关键环节)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Traditionally made of metal, keys symbolize access, control, and security.
  • In modern usage, extended metaphorically to mean crucial or pivotal elements.
  • The character reflects the metal material (金) used in traditional key making.

FAQ