This is the 166th most frequent Spanish word.
clave
Key; crucial element or code.
In this sentence, 'clave' refers to an important or essential piece of information necessary for understanding or solving a situation.
El profesor dio la clave para resolver el problema.
The teacher gave the key to solving the problem.
Here, 'clave' is used in a musical context, referring to the clef that determines the pitch of the written notes.
La música estuvo en la clave de sol durante toda la pieza.
The music was in the treble clef throughout the piece.
In this case, 'clave' functions as an adjective meaning 'crucial' or 'essential,' emphasizing the importance of patience in the task.