Also means
clue
Usage Note
Clave as a noun means a key, code, or clue (la clave del problema). As an invariable adjective it means 'key' or 'crucial' (un momento clave, una figura clave) — it never adds -e or agrees in gender. Do not confuse with llave, which is the physical key for a lock.
Examples
"Esa decisión fue la clave del éxito."
Natural Translation
That decision was the key to success.

Free starter pack
Building your Spanish vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore Spanish by topic
SpanishNow
6 min read