キー
Meanings
Physical key for a lock, door, or ignition.
I forgot my house key.
key (of a piano, keyboard, etc.)
A single key on a musical instrument or computer keyboard.
I pressed each piano key one by one.
Musical key; the tonal center of a piece. Often used with 調.
See also: 調
This piece is written in the key of C major.
key (to solving something); clue
Figurative key or crucial piece of information for solving a problem or mystery.
The key to solving the case was his testimony.
noun-modifying (irregular)
key (person, point, etc.); most important
Prenominal use meaning crucial or most important; often in compounds like キーパーソン or キーポイント.
He is the key person for this project.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉のキーを回すto turn the key of something (e.g. a car, a lock)
I turned the car key and started the engine.
- キーを叩くto type on a keyboard (press keys)
She's typing on the computer keyboard, writing a report.
- キーが高い／低いthe key (pitch) is too high/low for a song
This song's key is too high for me to sing.
- 〈事〉を解くキーを握るto hold the key to solving something
It seems he holds the key to solving this case.
- キーとなる〈人〉the key person (most important person) in something
He's the key person in this project.