TomoshiTomoshi

鍵・鑰|かぎkagi[2]odaka (tail-high)

JLPT N5approx.Common
Which spelling to use
鍵鍵 is the most common written form; beginners should normally use it when writing this word.
鑰鑰 is a kanji-only written variant and is rarely used, so learners will seldom encounter it.
Definitions
  1. nounkey
  2. nounlock
    ドアを開あける際さいに、私は鍵かぎを壊こわしてしまった。↗
    In opening the door, I broke the lock.
  3. nounkey (to a problem, success, etc.); clue
Japanese definitions
  1. （かぎ）門扉もんぴを閉鎖へいさするのに用もちいる仕掛しかけ（錠じょう）の開閉かいへいに用もちいる道具どうぐ。
  2. （かぎ）（「錠じょう」をふくめた）門扉もんぴを閉鎖へいさするのに用もちいる仕掛しかけ。
  3. （比喩ひゆ　かぎ）物事ものごとを解決かいけつするのにきっかけとなるもの。
  4. （ケン　英語えいごkey等とうの略語りゃくご）（「ピアノ、オルガンといった楽器がっきの音おとを鳴ならす際さいに指ゆびで押し下おしさげる部分ぶぶん。
Kanji in this word
鍵
English equivalents
keylock

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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