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A1 noun #3,000 الأكثر شيوعاً 10 دقيقة للقراءة

کلید

kelid الأكثر شيوعاً #3,000

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح کلید في 30 ثانية

الشرح کلید in your Level:

At the A1 level, your primary focus is on basic survival vocabulary. The word کلید (kelid) is one of the first nouns you will learn because it is an essential everyday object. At this stage, you only need to know that کلید means the physical metal object used to open a door. You will learn to use it in very simple sentences, such as stating possession ('I have a key' - من کلید دارم) or asking a basic question ('Where is the key?' - کلید کجاست؟). You will also learn the basic verbs associated with it, primarily 'to have' (داشتن) and 'to lose' (گم کردن). You do not need to worry about the metaphorical meanings or its use as an electrical switch at this level. Just focus on associating the sound 'kelid' with the object you put in your pocket before leaving the house. Practice pointing to your house key and saying 'kelid'. Learn the phrase 'کلید در' (door key) to be specific. Understanding this word helps you navigate basic daily routines and communicate simple needs regarding access to your home or room.

As you progress to the A2 level, your understanding of کلید expands slightly. You already know it means a door key, but now you will start encountering it in the context of electricity. You will learn that کلید برق means 'light switch'. This is a crucial addition to your vocabulary for describing your home environment and giving simple instructions. You will learn the specific verbs used with switches: روشن کردن (to turn on) and خاموش کردن (to turn off), as well as the colloquial کلید را زدن (to hit the switch). Furthermore, you will learn how to form the plural, کلیدها (keys), and the very common compound word دسته کلید (keychain). You will start forming slightly more complex sentences, such as 'Please turn off the light switch before leaving' or 'I left my keychain on the table'. You are still dealing with tangible, physical objects, but your ability to interact with your environment using this word has broadened significantly.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B1 level, you cross the bridge from literal to metaphorical usage. While you continue to use کلید for doors and switches, you will now start reading and hearing it used to mean 'the solution' or 'the most important element'. You will encounter phrases like کلید موفقیت (the key to success) or کلید مشکل (the key to the problem) in intermediate reading texts, news snippets, and everyday advice. This requires understanding the Ezafe construction (کلیدِ) to link the word to abstract concepts. You will also learn about صفحه کلید (keyboard) as you discuss technology and computers. At this stage, you should be comfortable using the word in various contexts without confusion. You can express ideas like 'Hard work is the key to passing the exam'. This metaphorical expansion is a hallmark of intermediate language proficiency, showing that you understand how Persian speakers conceptualize problem-solving and achievement.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

Reaching the B2 level means you have a solid grasp of both the literal and metaphorical meanings of کلید. Now, your focus shifts to idiomatic expressions, collocations, and nuanced usage. You will learn the compound verb کلید خوردن (to be initiated/started), which is essential for understanding news reports about new projects, films, or political campaigns. You will be able to distinguish when to use کلید versus synonyms like راه حل (solution) or رمز (secret), understanding the subtle stylistic differences. You will also be comfortable discussing more complex technological concepts, such as cryptographic keys (کلیدهای رمزنگاری) in digital security. Your sentences will become more sophisticated, incorporating conditional clauses and passive voice. For example, 'If the project is keyed (started) tomorrow, we will need more resources'. You are no longer just using the word; you are playing with its various shades of meaning to express yourself fluently and naturally.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 advanced level, your use of کلید is nearly native-like. You understand its cultural and political connotations, such as its use as a symbol in Iranian elections. You can effortlessly navigate complex literary texts where the word might be used in poetic or deeply metaphorical ways, representing the unlocking of the soul or hidden truths. You are fully aware of the register—knowing when to use it formally and when to use colloquial alternatives. You can engage in abstract discussions about philosophy, economics, or politics, using phrases like 'کلید توسعه پایدار' (the key to sustainable development). You also understand obscure or highly specialized uses, such as musical keys (کلید سل) in music theory discussions. Your vocabulary is rich enough that you rarely rely on direct translation from English, instead thinking directly in Persian collocations and idiomatic structures involving the word.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 mastery level, the word کلید holds no secrets for you. You command its entire semantic range, from the most mundane physical object to the most elevated poetic metaphor. You can analyze its etymology and its relationship with other words in the Persian language. You can easily produce and understand complex puns or wordplay involving keys, locks, and switches. In academic or highly formal writing, you use it with absolute precision. You understand regional variations or historical shifts in its usage. If you were to write an essay or deliver a speech in Persian, you could use the concept of the 'key' as a central, recurring motif, weaving it through your arguments with elegance and rhetorical power. Your understanding is not just linguistic; it is deeply cultural, reflecting a profound internalization of how the Persian mind categorizes and expresses the concepts of opening, starting, and solving.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

کلید في 30 ثانية

Primary meaning: A physical key used to open locks and doors.
Secondary meaning: An electrical switch used to turn lights on or off.
Technological meaning: A button on a computer keyboard or a digital security code.
Metaphorical meaning: The crucial solution or secret to achieving success or solving a problem.

The Persian word کلید (pronounced kelid) is a highly versatile noun that primarily translates to 'key' in English. However, its usage extends far beyond the physical object used to unlock doors. Understanding the full spectrum of its meanings is essential for mastering Persian at any level. At its most basic, a کلید is a small piece of shaped metal with incisions cut to fit the wards of a particular lock, which is inserted into a lock and turned to open or close it. This physical definition is the first one learners encounter, typically in contexts like کلید در (door key) or کلید ماشین (car key). But the linguistic journey of this word does not stop there. It permeates various aspects of daily life, technology, and abstract thought. For instance, in the realm of electricity and electronics, کلید translates to 'switch' or 'button'. When you want to turn on the lights, you look for the کلید برق (light switch). On a computer keyboard, each individual button is referred to as a کلید, making the keyboard itself a صفحه کلید (literally 'key board').

Physical Key: The primary meaning, referring to the metal tool used for locks. Example: کلید خانه (house key).

من کلید خانه را گم کردم.

I lost the house key.

Beyond the physical and technological, کلید holds significant metaphorical weight. Just as in English, it represents the means of achieving or understanding something. The کلید موفقیت (key to success) or کلید حل مشکل (key to solving the problem) are common phrases in Persian literature, motivational speaking, and everyday advice. This metaphorical usage highlights the word's association with unlocking potential, discovering secrets, and finding solutions.

Electrical Switch: Used to describe mechanisms that complete or break an electrical circuit. Example: کلید لامپ (light switch).

لطفاً کلید برق را بزن.

Please hit the light switch.

In the context of music, کلید refers to the clef, such as کلید سل (treble clef) or کلید فا (bass clef). It also refers to the keys on a piano or other keyboard instruments. Furthermore, in cryptography and digital security, a password or a cryptographic key is also called a کلید. This incredible versatility means that as a learner, whenever you encounter a concept involving unlocking, switching, pressing a distinct button, or finding a crucial solution, the word کلید is likely involved.

Metaphorical Key: Represents a crucial element or solution. Example: کلید خوشبختی (key to happiness).

تلاش، کلید موفقیت است.

Effort is the key to success.

او کلید گاوصندوق را دارد.

He has the key to the safe.

این کلید کار نمی‌کند.

This key does not work.

Using the word کلید correctly in Persian involves understanding its various collocations and the specific verbs it pairs with depending on the context. The most common verb associated with a physical key is انداختن (to throw/insert) or چرخاندن (to turn). When you want to say 'to lock the door with a key', you say در را کلید کردن or more commonly در را قفل کردن (to lock the door). If you are inserting the key into the keyhole, you might say کلید را در قفل انداختن. However, when کلید is used to mean an electrical switch, the verb changes entirely. You do not 'turn' a light switch in Persian; you 'hit' it. The phrase is کلید را زدن (to hit the switch). This is a crucial distinction for learners, as directly translating 'turn on the switch' can lead to unnatural phrasing.

With Physical Locks: Use verbs like انداختن (to insert) or چرخاندن (to turn).

او کلید را در قفل چرخاند.

He turned the key in the lock.

When referring to a keyboard, the phrase is صفحه کلید. If you are typing, you are pressing the keys, which is expressed as فشار دادن کلیدها (pressing the keys). In metaphorical contexts, کلید is often followed by an ezafe (the 'e' sound linking words) to show possession or relation, such as کلیدِ موفقیت (the key of success). Here, it acts as the head noun in a genitive construction. It is frequently used with the verb بودن (to be) to state that something is the key to something else.

With Electrical Switches: Use the verb زدن (to hit/strike) to mean turning on or off.

کلید برق کجاست؟

Where is the light switch?

Another interesting usage is the compound verb کلید خوردن (literally 'to be keyed'). This is a colloquial and journalistic idiom meaning 'to be initiated' or 'to start', often used for projects, movies, or campaigns. For example, فیلمبرداری کلید خورد means 'the filming started'. This shows how deeply the concept of a key as an initiator is embedded in the language.

Metaphorical Usage: Used with Ezafe to link to abstract concepts like success or peace.

صبر، کلید آرامش است.

Patience is the key to peace.

پروژه جدید فردا کلید می‌خورد.

The new project kicks off tomorrow.

من کلید یدکی ندارم.

I don't have a spare key.

You will hear the word کلید in almost every conceivable environment in Iran or among Persian speakers, owing to its multiple meanings. In a domestic setting, it is one of the most frequently used words. As people leave the house, the common refrain is کلید یادت نره (Don't forget the key). When someone arrives home and rings the doorbell, they might be asked if they have their key: کلید داری؟ (Do you have a key?). In this environment, it also refers to the light switches. A parent might tell a child, کلید برق را خاموش کن (Turn off the light switch) before leaving a room.

At Home: Used daily regarding door keys and light switches.

یادم رفت کلید بردارم.

I forgot to take the key.

In professional and office environments, the word takes on additional layers. IT professionals frequently talk about صفحه کلید (keyboard) or cryptographic keys. In business meetings, managers might discuss the کلید موفقیت پروژه (key to the project's success). In the construction and real estate sectors, handing over the keys, تحویل کلید, is a significant milestone representing the transfer of property ownership or the completion of a building. You will also hear it in hardware stores (ابزار فروشی) where people go to get keys duplicated (کلید سازی).

In Technology: Refers to keyboard keys or digital security keys.

این کلید کیبورد خراب است.

This keyboard key is broken.

In the media, particularly in news and journalism, the metaphorical use is rampant. Politicians talk about the 'key to economic reform'. Interestingly, during the 2013 Iranian presidential election, Hassan Rouhani famously used a physical key as his campaign symbol, representing the unlocking of the country's problems, which made the word کلید a central political buzzword for years. In arts and entertainment, musicians discuss musical keys (کلیدهای موسیقی), and as mentioned before, the start of any film production is announced with the phrase کلید خورد.

In Media and Politics: Used as a symbol for solutions and unlocking potential.

او با یک کلید نمادین وارد شد.

He entered with a symbolic key.

مغازه کلید سازی کجاست؟

Where is the key making shop?

او کلید حل معما را پیدا کرد.

He found the key to solving the puzzle.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning the Persian word کلید is directly translating English idioms or verb pairings without considering the Persian context. For example, in English, we say 'turn on the light', which implies turning a switch. If a learner translates this literally and tries to use the verb چرخاندن (to turn) with کلید برق (light switch), it sounds completely unnatural to a native Persian speaker. The correct verb is زدن (to hit/strike). Therefore, you must say کلید را بزن (hit the switch) to mean 'turn on the light'.

Wrong Verb with Switch: Using 'turn' instead of 'hit' for electrical switches.

اشتباه: کلید را بچرخان (برای برق). درست: کلید را بزن.

Wrong: Turn the key (for light). Right: Hit the switch.

Another common area of confusion is the distinction between the key (کلید) and the lock (قفل). While conceptually distinct, learners sometimes mix them up when speaking quickly, saying they lost the lock when they meant the key. Additionally, when talking about car keys, Persians often use the English loanword سوئیچ (switch) instead of کلید. Saying کلید ماشین is perfectly understandable and grammatically correct, but سوئیچ ماشین is much more common in everyday spoken Persian. Using کلید for a car might make you sound slightly formal or archaic.

Car Keys: Using 'کلید' instead of the more common 'سوئیچ' for cars.

بهتر است بگوییم سوئیچ ماشین تا کلید ماشین.

It is better to say car switch (keys) than car key.

Furthermore, learners sometimes struggle with the metaphorical use. In English, we might say 'the key is to study hard'. In Persian, you would structure this slightly differently, often using the Ezafe: کلیدِ کار، زیاد درس خواندن است (The key of the work is studying a lot). Forgetting the Ezafe connection makes the sentence sound disjointed. Lastly, pronunciation mistakes can occur. The word is pronounced ke-lid, not ka-lid or ko-lid. Ensuring the short 'e' sound at the beginning is crucial for clear communication.

Missing Ezafe: Forgetting to link 'کلید' to the next word in metaphorical phrases.

باید بگویید کلیدِ موفقیت، نه کلید موفقیت (بدون کسره).

You must say kelid-e movaffaghiyat, not kelid movaffaghiyat.

دسته کلید من سنگین است.

My keychain is heavy.

او کلید را پشت در جا گذاشت.

He left the key behind the door.

When expanding your Persian vocabulary around the concept of کلید, several related words and synonyms come into play, depending heavily on the context. For the physical object used to open a car, as mentioned earlier, the word سوئیچ (derived from the English 'switch') is the most common term. If you are talking about a button that you press, such as on a remote control, an elevator, or a piece of clothing, the word is دکمه (dokmeh). While a keyboard key is a کلید, a shirt button is always a دکمه. Confusing these two will lead to amusing misunderstandings.

سوئیچ (Switch): Used almost exclusively for car keys or motorcycle keys.

سوئیچ ماشین را روی میز گذاشتم، نه کلید را.

I left the car keys on the table, not the door key.

In metaphorical contexts, where کلید means the solution or the secret to something, words like راه حل (solution) or رمز (secret/code) are excellent synonyms. For example, instead of saying کلید موفقیت (key to success), you could say رمز موفقیت (secret to success). Both are highly idiomatic and widely used in Persian literature and daily conversation. Another related concept is the lock itself, which is قفل (ghofl). A key and a lock are an inseparable pair in language, often appearing together in proverbs and idioms.

دکمه (Button): Used for clothing buttons or push-buttons on devices.

این دکمه را فشار بده، این یک کلید نیست.

Press this button, it is not a key.

For electrical switches, while کلید is the standard term, you might sometimes hear the word پریز (pariz), which actually means 'electrical outlet' or 'socket'. They are often found together on walls, so learners sometimes confuse the two. Remember: کلید is what you press to turn on the light, پریز is where you plug in your charger. Understanding these nuances and similar words will significantly enrich your Persian vocabulary and help you speak more precisely and naturally.

راه حل (Solution): A direct synonym for the metaphorical use of key.

تنها راه حل این مشکل، پیدا کردن کلید اصلی است.

The only solution to this problem is finding the main key.

قفل و کلید با هم کار می‌کنند.

The lock and key work together.

رمز عبور شما همان کلید دیجیتال شماست.

Your password is your digital key.

How Formal Is It?

مستوى الصعوبة

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Ezafe construction (کلیدِ در)

Pluralization with 'ها' (کلیدها)

Compound verbs (کلید خوردن)

Direct object marker 'را' (کلید را)

Imperative verbs (کلید را بزن)

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

من کلید دارم.

I have a key.

Basic subject-object-verb structure.

کلید کجاست؟

Where is the key?

Question word 'کجاست' (where is).

این کلید من است.

This is my key.

Possessive pronoun 'من' (my).

کلید در اینجاست.

The door key is here.

Ezafe linking 'key' and 'door'.

من کلید را می‌خواهم.

I want the key.

Direct object marker 'را'.

او کلید ندارد.

He/She does not have a key.

Negative verb 'ندارد'.

کلید بزرگ است.

The key is big.

Simple adjective description.

دو کلید روی میز است.

Two keys are on the table.

Numbers with singular nouns.

کلید برق را بزن.

Hit the light switch.

Imperative verb 'بزن'.

من کلیدهایم را گم کردم.

I lost my keys.

Plural noun with possessive suffix 'هایم'.

دسته کلید من سنگین است.

My keychain is heavy.

Compound noun 'دسته کلید'.

لطفاً در را با کلید قفل کن.

Please lock the door with the key.

Preposition 'با' (with).

این کلید کار نمی‌کند.

This key does not work.

Present continuous negative.

کلید لامپ کجاست؟

Where is the lamp switch?

Ezafe construction.

من یک کلید یدکی نیاز دارم.

I need a spare key.

Adjective 'یدکی' (spare).

کلید را روی میز گذاشتم.

I put the key on the table.

Simple past tense.

تلاش، کلید موفقیت در امتحان است.

Effort is the key to success in the exam.

Metaphorical use with Ezafe.

صفحه کلید کامپیوتر من خراب شده است.

My computer keyboard has broken.

Present perfect tense.

او کلید حل این مشکل را پیدا کرد.

He found the key to solving this problem.

Complex noun phrase.

بدون کلید نمی‌توانیم وارد ساختمان شویم.

Without a key, we cannot enter the building.

Preposition 'بدون' (without).

کلید اصلی در دست مدیر است.

The master key is in the manager's hand.

Adjective 'اصلی' (main/master).

آموزش، کلید پیشرفت جامعه است.

Education is the key to society's progress.

Abstract metaphorical concept.

من رمز عبور را روی صفحه کلید تایپ کردم.

I typed the password on the keyboard.

Using 'صفحه کلید' in context.

پیدا کردن کلید گمشده خیلی سخت بود.

Finding the lost key was very difficult.

Gerund phrase as subject.

پروژه ساخت و ساز جدید فردا کلید می‌خورد.

The new construction project kicks off tomorrow.

Idiomatic compound verb 'کلید خوردن'.

ارتباط موثر، کلید طلایی در روابط انسانی است.

Effective communication is the golden key in human relationships.

Adjective 'طلایی' (golden) used metaphorically.

آنها کلیدهای رمزنگاری را برای امنیت بیشتر تغییر دادند.

They changed the cryptographic keys for more security.

Technical vocabulary.

فیلمبرداری این سریال ماه آینده کلید خواهد خورد.

The filming of this series will start next month.

Future tense of 'کلید خوردن'.

او با زدن یک کلید، تمام سیستم را خاموش کرد.

By hitting one switch, he turned off the whole system.

Prepositional phrase with gerund.

کلید سل در موسیقی برای نت‌های زیر استفاده می‌شود.

The treble clef in music is used for high notes.

Specialized musical vocabulary.

دسترسی به این اطلاعات نیازمند یک کلید امنیتی است.

Access to this information requires a security key.

Formal vocabulary 'نیازمند'.

این تصمیم، کلید حل بحران اقتصادی بود.

This decision was the key to solving the economic crisis.

Complex abstract concept.

سیاستمدار در سخنرانی خود از کلید به عنوان نماد گشایش یاد کرد.

The politician referred to the key as a symbol of opening in his speech.

Advanced vocabulary 'نماد' (symbol).

طرح جامع توسعه شهری با حضور شهردار کلید خورد.

The comprehensive urban development plan was initiated in the presence of the mayor.

Formal journalistic style.

درک عمیق از تاریخ، کلید فهم تحولات سیاسی معاصر است.

A deep understanding of history is the key to comprehending contemporary political developments.

Complex academic sentence structure.

مکانیسم این قفل به گونه‌ای است که با هر کلیدی باز نمی‌شود.

The mechanism of this lock is such that it cannot be opened with just any key.

Subordinate clause 'به گونه‌ای است که'.

نوازنده با مهارت تمام کلیدهای پیانو را به صدا درآورد.

The musician played the piano keys with utmost skill.

Literary phrasing 'به صدا درآورد'.

این کشف علمی می‌تواند کلیدی برای درمان بیماری‌های لاعلاج باشد.

This scientific discovery could be a key to curing incurable diseases.

Modal verb 'می‌تواند'.

او کلیدواژه‌های مهم متن را برای درک بهتر برجسته کرد.

He highlighted the important keywords of the text for better understanding.

Compound word 'کلیدواژه' (keyword).

رمزگشایی از این کتیبه باستانی، کلید شناخت تمدن گمشده است.

Deciphering this ancient inscription is the key to knowing the lost civilization.

Advanced abstract nouns.

شاعر در این غزل، عشق را یگانه کلید دروازه سعادت می‌داند.

In this sonnet, the poet considers love the sole key to the gate of felicity.

Literary and poetic analysis.

اجرای این ابرپروژه ملی، با وجود تمام چالش‌ها، سرانجام کلید خورد.

The execution of this national megaproject, despite all challenges, was finally initiated.

Highly formal and complex syntax.

کلیدواژگان کلیدی در گفتمان فلسفی او، مفاهیمی چون وجود و ماهیت هستند.

The key keywords in his philosophical discourse are concepts like existence and essence.

Redundant emphasis 'کلیدواژگان کلیدی' for rhetorical effect.

تغییر پارادایم در علوم انسانی، کلید فهم دگرگونی‌های اجتماعی در قرن بیست و یکم است.

A paradigm shift in the humanities is the key to understanding social transformations in the 21st century.

Academic and sociological terminology.

سیستم‌های رمزنگاری نامتقارن از یک جفت کلید عمومی و خصوصی بهره می‌برند.

Asymmetric cryptographic systems utilize a pair of public and private keys.

Highly specialized technical language.

او با ظرافتی بی‌نظیر، کلیدهای حل این مناقشه دیپلماتیک را در دست داشت.

With unparalleled finesse, he held the keys to resolving this diplomatic dispute.

Metaphorical usage in a geopolitical context.

در این سمفونی، تغییر مداوم کلیدهای موسیقی، فضایی پرالتهاب خلق می‌کند.

In this symphony, the constant changing of musical keys creates a turbulent atmosphere.

Advanced music theory critique.

یافتن کلید طلایی تعادل بین کار و زندگی، دغدغه انسان مدرن است.

Finding the golden key of balance between work and life is the preoccupation of modern man.

Philosophical reflection on modern life.

تلازمات شائعة

کلید در

کلید برق

کلید موفقیت

دسته کلید

صفحه کلید

کلید یدکی

کلید اصلی

کلید خوردن

کلید ساختن

کلید انداختن

العبارات الشائعة

کلید را زدن

کلید را چرخاندن

کلید را گم کردن

کلید حل مشکل

کلید طلایی

کلید اسرار

پشت در ماندن بدون کلید

تحویل کلید

کلید سل

کلید واژه

يُخلط عادةً مع

کلید vs قفل (lock)

کلید vs پریز (electrical outlet)

کلید vs دکمه (button)

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"کلید بهشت"

"کلید قلب کسی را داشتن"

"پروژه کلید خورد"

"کلید اسرار در دست اوست"

"مثل کلید و قفل بودن"

"کلید شهر را دادن"

"کلید کار دست اوست"

"کلید قفل بسته"

"با کلید طلا هر دری باز می‌شود"

"کلید حل معما"

سهل الخلط

کلید vs

أنماط الجُمل

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

note

While 'کلید' is universal for door keys, its use for 'switch' is specific to electrical wall switches. A switch on an appliance might be called 'دکمه' (button).

أخطاء شائعة

Translating 'turn on the switch' literally by using the verb 'چرخاندن' instead of the correct Persian verb 'زدن'.
Confusing 'کلید' (key) with 'قفل' (lock) when speaking quickly.
Using 'کلید' for a shirt button instead of the correct word 'دکمه'.
Forgetting the Ezafe when making compound phrases like 'کلید موفقیت' (saying 'kelid movaffaghiyat' instead of 'kelid-e movaffaghiyat').
Using 'کلید ماشین' in casual conversation when 'سوئیچ' is the much more natural and expected term.

نصائح

Use Ezafe for Possession

When saying 'the key of the door', you must use the Ezafe. Say 'کلیدِ در' (kelid-e dar). Without the Ezafe, the words don't connect properly.

Switches vs. Buttons

Use 'کلید' for wall switches that toggle on and off. Use 'دکمه' for buttons that you push, like on a remote control or an elevator.

Car Keys

To sound like a native, drop 'کلید ماشین' and start using 'سوئیچ'. If you ask a friend 'سوئیچ کجاست؟', they will know you mean the car keys.

Starting Projects

Impress your Persian friends by using 'کلید خورد'. If you are starting a new diet or a new job, jokingly say 'پروژه کلید خورد' (The project kicked off).

Short E Sound

Make sure to pronounce the first vowel as a short 'e' like in 'bed'. It is 'ke-lid', not 'ka-lid'. Mispronouncing the vowel can make you hard to understand.

Verbs for Locks

When using a key in a lock, use the verb 'انداختن' (to throw/insert) or 'چرخاندن' (to turn). 'کلید را در قفل انداخت' means he put the key in the lock.

Spare Key

Learn the phrase 'کلید یدکی' (kelid-e yadaki) for spare key. It is very useful if you are renting an apartment or sharing a space.

Keywords

If you are writing an academic paper or searching online, the word for 'keyword' is 'کلیدواژه' (kelid-vazheh). It's a direct and very common translation.

Context is King

When you hear 'kelid', immediately look at the context. If they are talking about a dark room, it's the switch. If they are at a locked door, it's the physical key.

Symbolism

Be aware that the key is a strong symbol of problem-solving in Iran. You will see it in political cartoons and campaign materials frequently.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Imagine a 'Kite' with a 'Lid' attached to it. You need a KEY to open the LID. Ke-Lid.

أصل الكلمة

Borrowed from Ancient Greek κλείς (kleís, 'key').

السياق الثقافي

It is common in Iran to leave a spare key with a trusted neighbor. Also, key-making shops (کلیدسازی) are ubiquitous small businesses found in almost every neighborhood bazaar.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

بدايات محادثة

"کلید خانه را کجا گذاشتی؟ (Where did you put the house key?)"

"به نظر شما کلید موفقیت چیست؟ (What do you think is the key to success?)"

"چرا کلید برق کار نمی‌کند؟ (Why isn't the light switch working?)"

"آیا کلید یدکی دارید؟ (Do you have a spare key?)"

"پروژه جدید کی کلید می‌خورد؟ (When does the new project kick off?)"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Write about a time you lost your keys and what happened.

What do you believe is the 'key' to happiness?

Describe the keychain you currently use.

Write a short story where a mysterious key is found.

Explain how to lock and unlock your front door in Persian.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

No, it has multiple meanings. It means a door key, an electrical light switch, and a keyboard key. It is also used metaphorically to mean a solution or secret. Context usually makes the meaning clear. For example, 'کلید برق' specifically means light switch.

You use the verb 'زدن' (to hit). The phrase is 'کلید برق را بزن' (hit the light switch). Do not use verbs that mean 'to turn' or 'to rotate' for electrical switches in Persian.

The standard plural is 'کلیدها' (kelid-ha). You just add the regular plural suffix 'ها'. For example, 'کلیدهای من' means 'my keys'.

Yes, you can say 'کلید ماشین', and people will understand you perfectly. However, it is much more common and natural in spoken Persian to use the English loanword 'سوئیچ' (switch) for car keys.

It is an idiomatic compound verb that literally means 'to be keyed'. In practice, it means 'to be initiated' or 'to start'. It is frequently used in news to announce the beginning of projects, films, or campaigns.

The word for keychain is 'دسته کلید' (dasteh kelid). It literally translates to 'a bunch of keys'. It is a very common compound noun.

Yes, it is used to refer to musical clefs. For example, 'کلید سل' means the treble clef, and 'کلید فا' means the bass clef. It also refers to the keys on a piano.

You link 'کلید' to an abstract concept using the Ezafe (the 'e' sound). For example, 'کلیدِ موفقیت' (kelid-e movaffaghiyat) means 'the key to success'.

'کلید' is the key (the tool you insert), and 'قفل' is the lock (the mechanism on the door). They are opposites but often used together in phrases like 'قفل و کلید'.

The word for a computer keyboard is 'صفحه کلید' (safheh kelid), which literally means 'key board' or 'key page'. Each individual button on it is a 'کلید'.

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