- Dictionary
key
A noun is a word that refers to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., femme, chat, maison).
a. la clé (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
I can't find my house key.Je ne trouve pas ma clé de maison.
b. la clef (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
Sarah forgot the key to the cottage, so we called a locksmith.Sarah a oublié la clef du chalet, alors nous avons appelé un serrurier.
a. la touche (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
I knocked my keyboard off the desk and two of the keys popped off.J’ai fait tomber mon clavier du bureau et deux touches se sont détachées.
a. la clé (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
Do you have the key for this music box?Tu as la clé de cette boîte à musique ?
b. la clef (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
Brett realized he needed the key to wind the clock.Brett s'est rendu compte qu'il avait besoin de la clef pour remonter l'horloge.
c. le remontoir (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
Melissa gently turned the key to wind the watch.Melissa tourna doucement le remontoir pour remonter la montre.
a. la légende (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
This map's key is so small that it's almost useless.La légende de cette carte est si petite qu'elle en est presque inutile.
a. le corrigé (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
I made a key so my daughter could help me grade the quizzes.J'ai préparé un corrigé pour que ma fille puisse m'aider à noter les quiz.
6. (geography)
a. le récif (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
During our vacation, we explored a key off the coast.Pendant nos vacances, nous avons exploré un récif au large de la côte.
b. l'îlot (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
On the map, that key looks like a fish.Sur la carte, cet îlot ressemble à un poisson.
a. la clé (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
The key to success in the business world is knowing how to network.La clé du succès, dans le monde des affaires, c’est de savoir réseauter.
b. la clef (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
I think that communication is the key to a good relationship.Je pense que la communication est la clef d'une bonne relation.
8. (music)
a. le ton (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
Can you sing this song in a lower key?Tu peux chanter cette chanson un ton plus grave ?
b. la tonalité (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
This song is in a major key.Cette chanson est en tonalité majeure.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., grand, petit).
a. clé
The key ingredient in my butternut squash soup is a pinch of nutmeg.L’ingrédient clé de ma soupe de courge musquée est une pincée de noix de muscade.
b. clef
The key factor in Andy's success was perseverance.Le facteur clef du succès d'Andy, c'était sa persévérance.
c. fondamental
My boss says that learning to listen is a key skill.Mon patron dit qu'apprendre à écouter est une compétence fondamentale.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., acheter).
a. rayer avec une clé
Someone keyed Jonah's car in the parking garage.Quelqu'un a rayé la voiture de Jonah avec une clé dans le parking.
b. rayer avec une clef
You can't key someone's car just because you're mad at them!Tu ne peux pas rayer la voiture de quelqu'un avec une clef simplement parce que tu es en colère contre lui !
Conjugations
Indicative of "key"
Collins English Verb Conjugation Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2023
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