locksmith; key shop
Refers to a person who makes or repairs locks and keys, or a shop that provides such services. Also used metaphorically for someone who can unlock a difficult situation.
I lost my key, so I called a locksmith.
駅前の鍵屋で合鍵を作ってもらった。
I had a duplicate key made at the key shop in front of the station.
Standard kanji spelling for a locksmith or key shop.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling sometimes seen in signage or informal writing.
Compound of 鍵 (kagi, 'key') and 屋 (ya, 'shop' or 'person who does something'). The historical derivation is straightforward; the word has been used since the Edo period for key-related trades.