Definition

Noun: 1. Key (of a keyboard or keypad): A button on a musical instrument (like a piano or organ) or a device (like a computer, typewriter, or phone) that is pressed to produce a sound, character, or function. 2. Fret (of a stringed instrument): A thin strip of material (metal, wood, or bone) set across the fingerboard of a stringed instrument (like a guitar or đàn nguyệt) to help produce different notes. 3. Digital (in compounds, e.g., "phím số", "phím điện thoại"): Relating to or operated by keys, especially on electronic devices.

Usage Examples

• As a key:
  • Cô ấy chạy ngón tay trên các phím đàn piano. (She ran her fingers over the piano keys.)
  • Anh ấy gõ phím máy tính rất nhanh. (He types on the computer keyboard very quickly.)
  • Nhấn phím Enter để tiếp tục. (Press the Enter key to continue.)
• As a fret:
  • Người chơi đàn guitar bấm dây đàn giữa các phím. (The guitarist presses the string between the frets.)
  • Đàn tranh không có phím như đàn guitar. (The đàn tranh does not have frets like a guitar.)

Advanced Usage

• "lên phím": To press a key or keys (often in a musical context).
  • Nghệ sĩ lên phím điêu luyện. (The performer pressed the keys skillfully.)
• "xuống phím": To release a key or press it down (context-dependent).
• "phím chức năng": Function key (e.g., F1, F2 on a keyboard).

Variants and Related Words

• Bàn phím (n): Keyboard (the entire set of keys).
  • bàn phím máy tính (computer keyboard), bàn phím đàn piano (piano keyboard).
• Phím số (n): Numeric keypad.
• Phím tắt (n): Shortcut key.
• Phím đàn (n): Instrument key (general for musical instruments).
• Phím điện thoại (n): Telephone keypad.

Synonyms

• Nút (n): Button (more general, for any pressable control).
• Phím (đàn) ~ Phím (máy tính): While both are "phím", they translate to different specific nouns in English: key vs. fret.

Related Phrases / Compound Words

• Phím âm: Note key (on a musical instrument).
• Phím dương: White key (on a piano).
• Phím âm: Black key (on a piano).
• Phím chết: Dead key (on a typewriter or keyboard for accents).
• Đánh phím: To type or to play keys.

noun

1. fret, digital, key