열쇠 vs 키
Korean word comparison
Listen to 열쇠
Listen to 키
| 열쇠 | 키 |
|---|---|
YEOL-sweh noun | ki noun |
| a key (for a lock); also used metaphorically as 'the key' to something important | key (loanword; often used for car keys, electronic keys, keyboard keys) |
How they differ
키 is a Korean loanword from English and is commonly used for car keys, electronic/cryptographic keys, or keyboard keys, whereas 열쇠 is the native Korean word and is the default for a physical lock key. In many contexts 열쇠 feels more neutral and general; 키 is more specific to modern/technical items and informal speech.
When to use each
When to use 열쇠: Prefer 열쇠 when referring to a traditional physical key for a lock or when you want the standard, neutral term.
When to use 키: Prefer 키 when talking about car keys, keyboard keys, software/cryptographic keys, or in casual speech where the loanword is common.
Side-by-side examples
- 집 열쇠를 잃어버렸어.
(I lost my house key.) - 차 키를 어디에 두었는지 기억이 안 나.
(I can't remember where I put the car key.)
Register & nuance: 키 is more colloquial and modern (common in spoken Korean and technical contexts); 열쇠 is neutral and standard across registers.