Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Locked in Spanish: Cerrado Con Llave
Cerrado Con Llave · adjective / participle · seh-RRAH-doh kohn YAH-veh
The Spanish expression for locked is 'cerrado con llave,' which literally means 'closed with key.' For electronic devices, accounts, or digital locks, 'bloqueado' (blocked) is the standard term. In Caribbean regions, 'trancado' serves as an informal equivalent. The distinction depends on whether the lock is physical or digital.
Pronounce it seh-RRAH-doh kohn YAH-veh. The double 'rr' in 'cerrado' is trilled, and 'llave' begins with a 'y' sound in most regions.
La puerta principal está cerrada con llave; necesitas el juego extra.
The front door is locked; you need the spare set.
Locked in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for locked, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| cerrado con llave | locked | seh-RRAH-doh kohn YAH-veh | Default, widely understood |
| bloqueado | locked | used for electronic locks, phones, or accounts | |
| trancado | locked | informal term used in Caribbean and some South American countries |
How Native Speakers Use Cerrado Con Llave
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Home security
Asegúrate de que todas las ventanas estén cerradas con llave antes de salir.
Make sure all the windows are locked before leaving.
Reminding someone about home security.
Digital device
Mi teléfono está bloqueado porque olvidé la contraseña.
My phone is locked because I forgot the password.
Dealing with a locked smartphone.
Car situation
Dejé las llaves dentro y el coche está cerrado con llave.
I left the keys inside and the car is locked.
Describing a frustrating lockout.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Cerrado Con Llave
Using only cerrado for locked
Incorrect: La oficina está cerrada (meaning locked).
Correct: La oficina está cerrada con llave.
'Cerrada' alone means closed, not necessarily locked — adding 'con llave' specifies that a key was used to secure it.
Using bloqueado for physical locks
Incorrect: La puerta está bloqueada con llave.
Correct: La puerta está cerrada con llave.
'Bloqueado' applies to electronic or digital locks, while 'cerrado con llave' is standard for physical key-and-lock mechanisms.
Lock in Locked Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
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See Cerrado Con Llave used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Locked in Spanish
- How do I say 'to lock' as a verb in Spanish?
- The verb phrase is 'cerrar con llave' (to close with key), and for digital locks you use 'bloquear,' as in 'bloquea tu teléfono' (lock your phone).
- What is the difference between 'cerrado' and 'cerrado con llave'?
- A door that is 'cerrada' is simply closed and can be opened by turning the handle, while one that is 'cerrada con llave' has been secured with a key and requires that key to open.
- How do I say 'unlock' in Spanish?
- To unlock is 'abrir con llave' for physical locks or 'desbloquear' for electronic devices, reversing the locking action in each respective context.