Italian · Home, Clothes & Daily Life
"Key" in Italian: chiave
la chiave
Key in Italian is la chiave (lah KYAH-veh). Plurals are le chiavi. You will hear chiave della macchina (car key) and chiave della camera in hotels.
Leaving an Airbnb
Lascia la chiave sotto lo zerbino.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce chiave
Say it
lah KYAH-veh
/la ˈkja.ve/
Chiave stresses KYAH: KYAH-veh. Ch before i sounds like English ky, not ch as in church.
"Key" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la chiave | key Door, car, locker, or figurative key. | Door, car, locker, or figurative key. |
| le chiavi | keys Plural—often a set. | Plural—often a set. |
| chiave della macchina | car key Everyday travel phrase. | Everyday travel phrase. |
| chiudere a chiave | to lock Literally to close with a key. | Literally to close with a key. |
How to use chiave in real life
- 1Leaving an Airbnb
Lascia la chiave sotto lo zerbino.
Leave the key under the doormat.
Common host instruction with chiave.
- 2At a hotel desk
Ho perso la chiave della camera.
I've lost the room key.
Chiave della camera = room key.
- 3Looking around the apartment
Dove sono le chiavi di casa?
Where are the house keys?
Plural le chiavi when you mean the set.
Mistakes English speakers make with chiave
Incorrect: Il chiave è sul tavolo.
Correct: La chiave è sul tavolo.
Chiave is feminine: la chiave, una chiave.
Incorrect: Ho due chiave.
Correct: Ho due chiavi.
Plural of chiave is chiavi, not chiave.
Good to know
Many Italian hotels still hand you a physical chiave with a heavy fob so you leave it at reception when you go out. Key cards are common too, but the word stays chiave. Losing le chiavi di casa is a classic comedy panic in everyday talk.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Locking up before heading out
ChatPal
Hai preso la chiave del portone?
Did you take the front-door key?
You
Sì, la chiave è nella mia tasca.
Yes, the key is in my pocket.
ChatPal
Bene. Chiudi a chiave anche la finestra.
Good. Lock the window too.
You
Ok, e le chiavi della macchina le prendo io.
Ok, and I'll take the car keys.
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 Italian
How do I say keys in the plural?
Le chiavi. One key is la chiave.
What is chiave USB?
A USB stick—chiave used figuratively for a small device.
How do I say lock the door?
Chiudi a chiave la porta, or chiudi la porta a chiave.
Is chiave only for doors?
No—cars, padlocks, maps (legend), and music (clef) all use chiave in the right context.
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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