llave vs. clave
How do you say "answer key" in Spanish? Is it "llave" or "clave"?
5 Answers
Answer key is often translated simply as: Soluciones or respuestas, I've also seen hoja de respuestas (de examen) - if they're on a separate sheet, but you can also use 'Clave or or 'hoja clave' 
Bienvenidos al foro abierto. Welacome to the open forum.
Llave –
Guardo los secretos importantes bajo llave. I keep important secrets under lock and key.
No puedo manejar el coche sin las llaves. I can’t drive the car without the keys.
Also remember that the “llaves” (in some countries) can be the handles on the water spigot (tap). So, “Cerrar la llave de paso” can be…to turn the water/gas off at the mains.
“Llave inglesa” is a monkey wrench.
Clave-
Think of this kind of “key” as an answer. “código”. So, “en llave” is “in code” The “clave” is the key. “clave de acceso” is an “access key”. There again …the code.
Of course. There are many idiomatic expressions.
Clave = like a key piece of information, the key to a good life, a key date (crucial), etc.
Llave = a physical key to a lock and some expressions (see below).
Bajo llave -> under lock and key
Echar la llave a -> 1. To lock. 2. (Fig.) To put the finishing touches on.
Llave de percusión -> percussion lock
Llave inglesa -> monkey wrench
Llave maestra -> master key
Llave de cambio -> shift key
Cerrar una puerta con llave -> to lock a door
Llave de paso -> stopcock
Kiwi is correct. The answer key is "la hoja de respuestas". I wouldn't use "clave" at all for this.
I typed this into the translator at the top of the screen on the right.
clave de respuestas
