vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Llave" is a noun which is often translated as "key", and "clave" is a noun which is also often translated as "key". Learn more about the difference between "llave" and "clave" below.
la llave(
yah
-
beh
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
3. (tool)
a. wrench (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
¿No has visto la llave que dejé sobre la mesa de trabajo?Have you seen the wrench I left on the work table?
b. spanner (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Pásame la llave. Necesito apretar esta tuerca.Pass me the spanner. I need to tighten this nut.
a. curly bracket
Tienes que escribir una llave después de esta instrucción o el script no correrá.You have to close this statement with a curly bracket or the script won't run.
b. curly brace (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Escribe el conjunto matemático entre llaves.Write the mathematical set between curly braces.
la clave(
klah
-
beh
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (concept)
a. key
La presidenta dijo en su discurso que la determinación es la clave del éxito.The president said in her speech that determination is the key to success.
3. (music)
a. clef
Tienes que saber cómo leer tanto la clave de fa que la de sol para tocar el piano.You have to know how to read both the bass and the treble clefs to play piano.
a. clave
Mi amigo toca la clave y canta en un grupo cubano.My friend plays clave and sings in a Cuban band.
a. clave
Siente la clave para tocar con más expresión.Feel the clave to play with greater expression.
a. keystone
Colocaron la clave para completar el arco.They placed the keystone to complete the arch.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. harpsichord
Elaine tocó una interpretación preciosa de Scarlatti en el clave.Elaine played a lovely rendition of Scarlatti on the harpsichord.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
8. (important)
