der Ersatzschlüssel
spare key
An additional or replacement key used when the original key has been lost or is unavailable.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe den Ersatzschlüssel bei meiner Nachbarin hinterlegt.
I left the spare key with my neighbor.
der Ersatzschlüssel
spare key
der Ersatzschlüssel, die Ersatzschlüssel
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Ersatzschlüssel, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Ersatzschlüssel |
| genitive | des Ersatzschlüssels |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Ersatzschlüssel | die Ersatzschlüssel |
| accusative | den Ersatzschlüssel | die Ersatzschlüssel |
| dative | dem Ersatzschlüssel | den Ersatzschlüsseln |
| genitive | des Ersatzschlüssels | der Ersatzschlüssel |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Ersatzschlüssel' (spare key) is made up of 'Ersatz' (replacement) and 'Schlüssel' (key). The first component indicates that this key serves as a backup for another key.
EXAMPLE
Der Ersatzschlüssel liegt sicher in einer kleinen Schublade.
The spare key is safely stored in a small drawer.
Typical collocations
'Ersatzschlüssel' (spare key) is often used with verbs such as 'hinterlegen' (to leave for safekeeping), 'aufbewahren' (to store), 'finden' (to find), and 'benutzen' (to use). It is especially common to specify who keeps the key or where it is stored.
EXAMPLE
Zur Sicherheit bewahrt die Familie den Ersatzschlüssel in einem Tresor auf.
For security, the family keeps the spare key in a safe.
Storage
In sentences with 'Ersatzschlüssel' (spare key), the storage location is often introduced with 'bei' (with / at) or 'in' (in). After 'bei', the person or institution is in the dative case.
EXAMPLE
Der Ersatzschlüssel befindet sich bei unserem Hausmeister.
The spare key is with our caretaker.
In real life
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