The German word for key is der Schlüssel.
Schlüssel in German can be a physical key for a lock or a metaphorical key for understanding, solutions, or access. You’ll hear it in everyday situations as well as abstract ones—like Schlüssel zum Erfolg (key to success).

It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German (grab the free illustrated PDF to unlock more).

Gender and Pronunciation

It’s a masculine noun: der Schlüssel.
Struggling with gender? This video lesson gives you easy, memorable strategies.

Pronunciation:
Schlüssel is pronounced [SHLUH-suhl]

• “SHLUH” like “shluh”

• “suhl” rhymes with “hustle”
  Two syllables: SHLUH-suhl

Example sentences

Ich habe meinen Schlüssel verloren.

I lost my key.

Hast du den Wohnungsschlüssel dabei?

Do you have the apartment key with you?

Der Schlüssel zum Erfolg ist Geduld.

The key to success is patience.

How does this word come up in real conversations?

"Wo ist mein Autoschlüssel?"

Where’s my car key?

"Oh nein, ich hab den Schlüssel stecken lassen!"

Oh no, I left the key in the lock!

"Sie hat den Schlüssel zur Lösung gefunden."

She found the key to the solution.

Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)

Tom: Hast du den Schlüssel gesehen?
Lea: War er nicht in deiner Jacke?
Tom: Nein… Mist! Vielleicht in der Küche?
Lea: Ich helfe dir suchen.

Translation:
Tom: Have you seen the key?
Lea: Wasn’t it in your jacket?
Tom: No… damn! Maybe in the kitchen?
Lea: I’ll help you look.

Grammatical case examples

Nominative:
Der Schlüssel liegt auf dem Tisch.

The key is on the table.

Accusative:
Ich brauche den Schlüssel.

I need the key.

Dative:
Ich helfe dir mit dem Schlüssel.

I’ll help you with the key.

Genitive:
Die Farbe des Schlüssels ist verblasst.

The color of the key has faded.

Other ways to say key in German

For key in German, Schlüssel is by far the most common. But you may also encounter Kennwort or Passwort in digital contexts, and Tonart when referring to musical keys.

Word variations and tidbits

Schlüsselbund (keyring), Haustürschlüssel (house key), Schlüsselrolle (key role), Schlüsselmoment (defining moment), Schlüsselbegriff (key term), Schlüsselwort (keyword), and Schlüsselperson (key person). It’s used metaphorically all the time: Schlüssel zur Lösung, Schlüssel zur Stadt, Schlüsselkompetenz.

📘 Duden entry for Schlüssel
🎥 Ready to unlock more? Our free video course teaches the top 1000 German nouns—with grammar, examples, and an illustrated PDF.

Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Do you know what Satz means? Without it, no Schlüssel would fit.
And what about Schande? It’s what you feel when you lose your Schlüssel again.