German · Home, Clothes & Daily Life
"Key" in German: Schlüssel
der Schlüssel
Key in German is der Schlüssel. A house key is der Wohnungsschlüssel, a car key der Autoschlüssel. To lock up you say abschließen.
Leaving home
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How to pronounce Schlüssel
Say it
SHLUE-sel
/ˈʃlʏsl̩/
SHLUE-sel. The ü is like ee with rounded lips. Soft final -el.
"Key" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| der Schlüssel | key Any physical key. | Any physical key. |
| Wohnungsschlüssel | apartment key Very common compound. | Very common compound. |
| Autoschlüssel | car key Includes fobs. | Includes fobs. |
| abschließen | to lock Related verb with Schlüssel. | Related verb with Schlüssel. |
How to use Schlüssel in real life
- 1Leaving home
Hast du den Schlüssel dabei?
Do you have the key with you?
Dabei means on you.
- 2At a hotel desk
Hier ist Ihr Zimmerschlüssel.
Here is your room key.
Formal Ihr with hotel staff.
- 3Locked out
Mein Schlüssel steckt drinnen.
My key is stuck inside.
Classic locked-out line.
Mistakes English speakers make with Schlüssel
Incorrect: die Schlüssel (one key)
Correct: der Schlüssel
One key is masculine der Schlüssel. Die Schlüssel is plural.
Incorrect: Wo ist meine Key?
Correct: Wo ist mein Schlüssel?
Use Schlüssel, not Key, in German.
Good to know
German apartment doors often need the Schlüssel turned twice. People keep a Ersatzschlüssel with a neighbor. Losing your Wohnungsschlüssel can mean a costly locksmith visit.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Handing over an apartment key
ChatPal
Hier, nimm den Schlüssel für unten.
Here, take the key for downstairs.
You
Danke. Welcher Schlüssel ist für die Haustür?
Thanks. Which key is for the front door?
ChatPal
Der große. Der kleine ist für den Keller.
The big one. The small one is for the cellar.
You
Alles klar. Ich teste sie gleich.
Got it. I'll test them right away.
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 German
What is the plural of Schlüssel?
Die Schlüssel. Same form, different article.
How do you say spare key?
Der Ersatzschlüssel.
How do you say keychain?
Der Schlüsselbund or der Schlüsselanhänger.
Is Schlüssel only for doors?
No. It also means a solution key, like Lösungsschlüssel, but doors come first for learners.
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
