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钥匙 (yào shi) — key

Definition

A physical key for opening locks or doors. Unlike 关键 (a 'key' point or idea) and 键 (a key on a keyboard), 钥匙 always refers to a real metal key.

noun
key
Measure word · 把
Easily confused

Examples

  • 钥匙，。
    Wǒ méi yǒu dài yào shi, jìn bù liǎo mén.
    I didn't bring the key and can't get in the door.
  • 钥匙。
    Zhè bǎ yào shi shì wǒ mā ma de.
    This key is my mom's.
  • 钥匙。
    Tā yòng yào shi dǎ kāi le mén.
    He used the key to open the door.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

钥yàokey
匙chíkey

钥 and 匙 both mean key, so 钥匙 names a key.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 鑰; 钥 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
金金jīn
Sound part声符shēngfú
龠
龠yuè鑰⁰yuè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 鑰 uses 金 to show a metal thing and 龠 to give the sound; the simplified 钥 is a later shorthand.

Open 钥 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
匕匕bǐspoon
Sound part声符shēngfú
是
是shì匙chí
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

匙 is made of 匕, meaning spoon, and 是, giving a sound hint.

Open 匙 →
Appears in
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