鍵
key
Readings
On'yomi
- ケン
Kun'yomi
- かぎ
Meaning
鍵 centers on a physical key used to lock or unlock something. It can also refer to a crucial element that provides access or understanding, like a key to a puzzle.
Most common words using 鍵
20 of 50- 鍵かぎN5
key
- 鍵盤けんばん
keyboard (of a piano, typewriter, etc.)
- 合鍵あいかぎ
duplicate key
- 鍵屋かぎや
locksmith
- 打鍵だけん
keystroke
- 鍵穴かぎあな
keyhole
- 鍵がかかるかぎがかかるN4
to become locked; to lock
- 鍵をかけるかぎをかけるN4
to lock (a door, etc.); to lock up
- 公開鍵こうかいかぎ
public key
- 公開鍵基盤こうかいかぎきばん
Public Key Infrastructure
- 公開鍵暗号こうかいかぎあんごう
public key encryption
- 公開鍵暗号方式こうかいかぎあんごうほうしき
public key cryptosystem
- 共有鍵きょうゆうかぎ
shared key
- 共有鍵暗号きょうゆうかぎあんごう
symmetric key cryptography
- 共有鍵暗号方式きょうゆうかぎあんごうほうしき
shared key encryption
- 共通鍵暗号きょうつうかぎあんごう
symmetric key cryptography
- 内鍵うちかぎ
internal lock
- 勝敗の鍵を握るしょうはいのかぎをにぎる
to have the game in one's hands; to hold the key to victory
- 対称鍵暗号たいしょうかぎあんごう
symmetric key cryptography
- 成功の鍵せいこうのかぎ
key success factor; key to success; KSF
Study
Etymology
鍵 combines 金 (metal) with 建, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of setting up or establishing, suggesting a metal device that secures or establishes closure.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is metal 金, and the right side 建 looks like a person setting up a lock. Picture a metal key being inserted to set the lock in place.
Reading mnemonic
For ケン, imagine a key shaped like the letter 'K' that you can use to open a can: K-can -> ケン. The metal key unlocks the can.