What's the difference between 钥匙 and 密钥?
Hi,

What's the difference between 钥匙 and 密钥?

If I wanted to say keys to my house, car, office or file cabinet, which word should I use?

If both words are correct, is one more common in conversations than the other?

Also, if I wanted to say "copy a key(s)", should I say 复制钥匙 or 复制密钥?

Thank you.

Question

What's the difference between 钥匙 and 密钥?
Hi,

What's the difference between 钥匙 and 密钥?

If I wanted to say keys to my house, car, office or file cabinet, which word should I use?

If both words are correct, is one more common in conversations than the other?

Also, if I wanted to say "copy a key(s)", should I say 复制钥匙 or 复制密钥?

Thank you.

Answer

In the daily conversations, 钥匙≈key; 密钥≈password.

Answer

If you want to say keys to your house, car, office or file cabinet, you should use the word 钥匙。
密匙 just the key in computer or cryptography words. 
"copy keys" we usually say it  ”配钥匙“.

Answer

钥匙 is common in conversations for house, car, office or file cabinet,etc.
 密钥 means secret key. It's more academic such as cryptography.
"copy a key(s)", should say 复制钥匙 in common. some situation you could say  复制密钥,maybe in novel or something.

Answers · 4

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