key; crucial point; strategic location
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
the key to success; crucial element; key factor
Metaphorical use emphasizing the critical importance of a method, factor, or step in achieving success.
Diào调
chá查
yán研
jiū究
shì是
zuò做
hǎo好
gè各
xiàng项
gōng工
zuò作
de的
suǒ锁
yuè钥
。
Investigation and research is the key to doing all work well.
Qín勤
fèn奋
shì是
tōng通
wǎng往
chéng成
gōng功
de的
suǒ锁
yuè钥
。
Diligence is the key to success.
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Zhǎng掌
wò握
zhè这
bǎ把
suǒ锁
yuè钥
，
jiù就
néng能
dǎ打
kāi开
zhī知
shi识
de的
dà大
mén门
。
Mastering this key allows one to open the door to knowledge.
noun
strategic military location; key position; strategic pass
formalSpecifically refers to strategically important military locations or passes that control access to an area.
Cǐ此
dì地
nǎi乃
bīng兵
jiā家
suǒ锁
yuè钥
，
bì必
zhēng争
zhī之
dì地
。
This place is a strategic military key and a location that must be contested.
běi北
mén门
suǒ锁
yuè钥
the key to the northern gate (strategic northern defense post)
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Guān关
zhōng中
shì是
sān三
qín秦
de的
suǒ锁
yuè钥
。
Guanzhong is the strategic key to the Three Qins.