关键 (guānjiàn) — key; crucial; pivotal; the crux
HSK 3 | adj/noun | the most important or decisive element
关键 (guānjiàn)
关键 refers to the most critical factor or turning point in a situation, and can also serve as an adjective meaning crucial or decisive.
Meanings
- [noun] the key; the crux — the most important or decisive element
- [adjective] key; crucial; pivotal — critically important
Example Sentences
关键是要坚持下去。 Guānjiàn shì yào jiānchí xiàqù. The key is to keep persisting.
这是一个关键时刻。 Zhè shì yī gè guānjiàn shíkè. This is a crucial moment.
找到问题的关键才能解决它。 Zhǎodào wèntí de guānjiàn cái néng jiějué tā. You must find the crux of the problem before you can solve it.
他在关键时候帮助了我。 Tā zài guānjiàn shíhou bāngzhù le wǒ. He helped me at a critical moment.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 关键时刻 | critical moment |
| 关键问题 | key issue |
| 找到关键 | to find the key |
| 关键因素 | key factor |
Memory Hook
关 (to close; to lock) plus 键 (key for a lock) — the key that opens or locks the door: that is the 关键 of any situation.