A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I lost my hotel key" in French
Learn how to say 'I lost my hotel key' in French to get help from hotel staff.
J'ai perdu la clé de ma chambre d'hôtel.
zhay pehr-DOO lah KAY duh mah SHAHM-bruh doh-TELneutral
French TTS · 0:01
This is what you say when you realize you can't get into your hotel room. You'll need to tell the reception desk so they can give you a new key or let you in.
Alternatives
- J'ai égaré la clé de ma chambre.Slightly more formal, 'égaré' means misplaced or lost.
- J'ai perdu ma clé d'hôtel.A bit more concise, common in spoken French.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'perdu' like 'pair-doo'
The 'u' sound in 'perdu' is made with rounded lips, like saying 'oo' but with your lips pushed forward.
Forgetting liaison with 'perdu'
In this phrase, there's no liaison needed after 'perdu'; the 'u' sound is distinct.
Using 'la clef' instead of 'la clé'
'La clé' is the standard modern French for 'key'; 'la clef' is older and less common.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
What's the best way to ask for a new key?
After saying 'J'ai perdu la clé de ma chambre d'hôtel,' you can add 'Pouvez-vous m'en donner une nouvelle, s'il vous plaît ?' (Can you give me a new one, please?).
Should I say 'ma chambre' or 'ma clé'?
You lost the key *to your room*, so 'la clé de ma chambre' is the most precise way to say it.
What if I lost the key outside the hotel?
You still need to report it to the hotel. They will likely charge you for a replacement key and may need to change the lock for security.
