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

钥Tone 4

yào ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

嬿一

钥 · 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 pointKey linkKey technologyKey positionMaster key

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I need the key to open the door (钥匙).
  • This is the key to solving the problem (关键).
  • The encryption key is very important (密钥).
  • He holds the master key (万能钥匙).

Collocations

  • Key(钥匙)
  • Key point(要点)
  • Key link(关键环节)
  • Key technology(关键技术)
  • Key position(要害位置)
  • Master key(万能钥匙)

Idioms

  • A key opens a lock(一把钥匙开一把锁)
  • The key to the city(城市钥匙)
  • Golden Key Award(金钥匙奖)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, keys symbolize access, control, and solutions to problems.
  • The character 钥 is often used metaphorically to represent crucial elements or methods.
  • Traditionally associated with security and authority in both literal and figurative contexts.

FAQ