French · Home, Clothes & Daily Life
"Key" in French: clé
la clé
Key in French is la clé (also spelled clef). Les clés are keys. La clé USB is a USB stick — same word, different object.
Leaving home
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How to pronounce clé
Say it
klay
/kle/
Clé is a clean klay. The é is like ay in "say". Final consonant is silent if you see clef.
"Key" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la clé | the key Doors, locks, cars. | Doors, locks, cars. |
| les clés | the keys Plural set. | Plural set. |
| la clé de la voiture | the car key Specific lock. | Specific lock. |
| perdre ses clés | to lose one's keys Classic mishap. | Classic mishap. |
How to use clé in real life
- 1Leaving home
Tu as pris la clé ?
Did you take the key?
La clé for one key.
- 2At the desk
J'ai oublié mes clés dans le bureau.
I left my keys in the office.
Mes clés = my keys.
- 3Hotel check-in
Voici la clé de votre chambre.
Here's your room key.
Still clé even for key cards in speech.
Mistakes English speakers make with clé
Incorrect: Le clé.
Correct: La clé.
Clé is feminine: la clé.
Incorrect: Mes keys.
Correct: Mes clés.
Use clés, not English keys.
Good to know
Both spellings clé and clef exist; clé dominates today. On a keyring you might still hear un trousseau de clés.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Locked out together
ChatPal
Tu as la clé de l'appart ?
Do you have the apartment key?
You
Non… mes clés sont dans mon autre sac.
No… my keys are in my other bag.
ChatPal
J'appelle le voisin qui a un double.
I'll call the neighbor who has a spare.
You
Bonne idée. Merci.
Good idea. Thanks.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Key" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Key" in French
How do you say key in French?
La clé.
Clé or clef?
Same word; clé is the usual modern spelling.
How do I say my keys?
Mes clés.
What about a USB key?
Une clé USB.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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