How to Write 钥 (yào/yuè) — Meaning “Key”

Imagine a shiny metal key shaped like a crescent moon. The left side 钅 represents the metal, and the right side 月 looks like the curved head of a key, helping you link the shape to the meaning.

Write the left radical 钅 first with its five strokes: left-falling, horizontal, horizontal, vertical, then an upward rising stroke. Then add the right side 月: start with a left-falling stroke, then a horizontal hook, and finally two short horizontal lines inside — be careful not to add a third line.

While all three use the metal radical 钅, 钥 has the right part 月 meaning "moon" and refers to a key. In contrast, 针 (zhēn) has a cross-shaped right part 十 and means "needle", and 钉 (dīng) has a T-shaped right part 丁 and means "nail". Their right components are visually distinct and give different meanings.

钥 appears most often in the common word 钥匙 (yào shi) meaning "key". It is also used in the term 锁钥 (suǒ yuè), which literally means "lock and key" but metaphorically describes a strategically important location. Although not in HSK, you will encounter it in daily life when talking about doors or important places.

Common words containing 钥 include: 钥匙 (yào shi) — Key; 锁钥 (suǒ yuè) — Lock and key; a key position or location..