Lael logo

cerrar con llave means to lock (with a key) — a common term in Travel Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: October 5, 2025

✈️ Travel Spanish

cerrar con llave

verb • /[seh-RAR kon YAH-beh]/

to lock (with a key)

Example:

Por seguridad, cierra con llave la puerta.

For safety, lock the door with the key.

🧠 What does cerrar con llave mean?

To lock something using a key. This emphasizes the act of turning a key in a lock, rather than simply closing something. It's the most common way to say "to lock" in Spanish when referring to doors, cars, or anything secured with a key.

📚 Extra examples

  • Cierra con llave la puerta antes de salir.
    Lock the door before leaving.
  • Siempre cierro con llave mi coche cuando estoy en la ciudad.
    I always lock my car when I'm in the city.
  • No olvides cerrar con llave la maleta.
    Don't forget to lock your suitcase.
  • ¿Cerraste con llave la casa?
    Did you lock the house?

💡 Did You Know?

While 'cerrar' means 'to close,' 'cerrar con llave' specifically means 'to lock with a key.' Just closing a door doesn't mean it's locked!

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "cerrar con llave"

Synonyms: asegurar con llave, echar llave
Opposites: abrir con llave

🔍 See more travel spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to lock (with a key)' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'to lock (with a key)' in Spanish is 'cerrar con llave'.
How do you pronounce 'cerrar con llave' in Spanish?
'Cerrar con llave' is pronounced seh-RRAH kon YAH-vay.
How do you use 'cerrar con llave' in a sentence?
Here are some examples: 'Cierra con llave la puerta' (Lock the door), '¿Cerraste con llave el coche?' (Did you lock the car?), 'Voy a cerrar con llave la casa' (I'm going to lock the house).
What is the English translation of 'cerrar con llave'?
The English translation of 'cerrar con llave' is 'to lock (with a key)'.
Does 'cerrar con llave' change for gender or number?
The verb 'cerrar' conjugates according to the subject, but 'con llave' remains unchanged. For instance, 'yo cierro con llave,' 'él cierra con llave,' 'ellos cierran con llave.'
Is 'cerrar con llave' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'cerrar con llave' is very common in everyday Spanish.
Does 'cerrar con llave' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'cerrar con llave' doesn't have any slang or double meanings. It's a straightforward way to say 'to lock with a key'.
Is 'cerrar con llave' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, 'cerrar con llave' is used the same way in Spain and Latin America.
How do you conjugate 'cerrar con llave' in Spanish?
'Cerrar' is a regular -ar verb. Here are the present tense conjugations with 'con llave': Yo cierro con llave, Tú cierras con llave, Él/Ella/Usted cierra con llave, Nosotros/as cerramos con llave, Vosotros/as cerráis con llave, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes cierran con llave.

📱 Download the App

Get reminders · Save favorites · Share words

Lael App Logo

Lael: Spanish Word of the Day

Download on the App Store