Meaning and Usage
The word 鍵 (かぎ) primarily means "key" or "lock" in everyday Japanese. It is used to refer to physical keys for doors, boxes, or other locked items, as well as the concept of locking itself.
Common Collocations
- 鍵をかける: to lock (something)
- 鍵を忘れる: to forget the key
- 鍵がかかっている: something is locked
Usage Notes
When using 鍵, it often appears in contexts related to security or access. The verb かける (to put on) is commonly combined with 鍵 to express locking something. Be careful not to confuse 鍵 (key) with 鍵穴 (keyhole).
Register and Politeness
The word 鍵 is neutral and used in both casual and formal contexts. It is a very common noun and essential vocabulary for daily life.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes omit the particle を when saying 鍵をかける, but the particle is necessary to indicate the object being locked.