Translation and Meaning of: 大切 - taisetsu

The Japanese word 大切[たいせつ] is a term loaded with meaning, often used in everyday life and culture in Japan. If you are looking to understand its use, translation, or origin, this article will explore all of that clearly and directly. Here, you will discover how Japanese people use this expression in different contexts, from informal conversations to deeper and more emotional situations.

In addition to explaining the meaning of 大切, we will cover its writing in kanji, its pronunciation, and how to memorize it effectively. If you are a Japanese language student or just an enthusiast of the language, understanding this word will enrich your vocabulary and your understanding of Japanese culture. Shall we begin?

The meaning and translation of 大切

The word 大切[たいせつ] can be translated as "important," "precious," or "valuable." It is used to describe something or someone that deserves special care, attention, or consideration. Unlike other similar words, たいせつ carries a more affectionate tone, often related to deep feelings.

For example, the Japanese use 大切 to talk about relationships, cherished objects, or memories that hold emotional significance. It is not just about something useful or necessary, but about what is truly special in the heart of the speaker. This nuance is essential for using the word correctly.

The origin and the kanjis of 大切

The term 大切 is composed of two kanji: 大 (big) and 切 (cut, important). Together, they convey the idea of something that is "greatly important" or that "cuts deeply" in an emotional sense. This combination well reflects the weight that the word carries in the Japanese language.

It is worth noting that 切 also appears in other words related to feelings, such as 親切[しんせつ] (kindness) and 切ない[せつない] (heartbreaking). This connection helps to understand why 大切 has such a strong emotional weight, going beyond the superficial meaning of "important."

How to use 大切 in your daily life

In daily life, Japanese people use 大切 in sentences like "家族は大切です" (Family is important) or "この指輪は私にとって大切なものです" (This ring is something precious to me). Notice that the word appears in both objective and subjective contexts, always with a tone of affection or appreciation.

One tip for memorizing 大切 is to associate it with things you truly consider special. Think of people, objects, or moments that hold a deep meaning for you. This emotional connection makes it easier to retain the term and helps you use it more naturally in conversations.

The cultural importance of 大切

In Japan, the concept behind 大切 is linked to values such as respect, gratitude, and care. The word is not just an adjective, but reflects a mindset that values what truly matters in life. This explains why it appears so often in speeches, songs, and even in animes.

In works like "The Traveler of the Stars" or popular songs, 大切 is often used to convey messages about love, friendship, and perseverance. Its use in the media reinforces its role as a central term in expressing deep feelings within Japanese culture.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 重要 (Jūyō) - important, essential
• 大事 (Daiji) - Important, significant (with a more emotional tone)
• 大切な (Taisetsu na) - Valuable, precious (with emphasis on care or affection)
• 大切にする (Taisetsu ni suru) - To take care of, to value something or someone
• 大切さ (Taisetsu sa) - Value, importance (noun that expresses the quality of being valuable)

大切

Romaji: taisetsu
Kana: たいせつ
Type: Adjective, noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: important

Meaning in English: important

Definition: Important: To be important. Something worthwhile.

Example Sentences - (大切) taisetsu

See below some example sentences:

私物は大切なものです。

Watamono wa taisetsu na mono desu

Personal goods are important.

Personal goods are important.

• 私物 (shibutsu) - personal belongings
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• な (na) - adjectival particle
• もの (mono) - thing, object
• です (desu) - polite way of being

私は祖父から受け継いだ家族の伝統を大切にしています。

Watashi wa sofu kara uketsuguida kazoku no dentō o taisetsu ni shiteimasu

I value my family tradition that I inherited from my grandfather.

I value the family tradition inherited from my grandfather.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 祖父 - noun meaning "grandfather" in Japanese
• から - particle that indicates the origin or starting point
• 受け継いだ - verb meaning "to inherit" or "to receive as an inheritance"
• 家族 - noun meaning "family" in Japanese
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 伝統 - noun meaning "tradition" in Japanese
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 大切にしています - verbal expression that means "to value" or "to give importance"

祝いをすることは大切な文化です。

Iwai wo suru koto wa taisetsu na bunka desu

Celebrating is an important culture.

Celebration is an important culture.

• 祝い (iwai) - celebration, party
• を (wo) - object particle
• する (suru) - to do, to accomplish
• こと (koto) - abstract noun, thing
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• な (na) - adjective particle
• 文化 (bunka) - culture
• です (desu) - verb to be, to stay

相互理解が大切です。

Sōgo rikai ga taisetsu desu

Mutual understanding is important.

Mutual understanding is important.

• 相互理解 (sōgo rikai) - mutual understanding
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

看病することは大切です。

Kanbyou suru koto wa taisetsu desu

Taking care of health is important.

It's important to be careful.

• 看病することは
• 大切です。

Explanation -

- Start of list
• - Item from the list 看病することは - Japanese phrase that means "Taking care of your health is important"
• - Segundo item da lista 大切です。- Phrase in Japanese that means "It's important"

- End of list

看護婦は患者の健康を守るために大切な存在です。

Kangofu wa kanja no kenkou wo mamoru tame ni taisetsu na sonzai desu

Nurses are an important presence to protect patients' health.

Nurses are important to protect the patient's health.

• 看護婦 - nurse
• は - Topic particle
• 患者 - patient
• の - Possession particle
• 健康 - health
• を - direct object particle
• 守る - protect
• ために - for
• 大切 - important
• な - adjective particle
• 存在 - existence
• です - verb to be (polite)

生活は大切なものです。

Seikatsu wa taisetsu na mono desu

Life is precious.

Life is important.

• 生活 (seikatsu) - life, lifestyle
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• な (na) - particle that indicates adjectivation
• もの (mono) - thing, object
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

生き物は自然の中で大切な存在です。

Ikimono wa shizen no naka de taisetsu na sonzai desu

Living beings are important beings in nature.

Creatures are important in nature.

• 生き物 - means "living beings" in Japanese.
• は - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "living beings".
• 自然 - Means "nature" in Japanese.
• の - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words, in this case, "nature".
• 中 - means "in the middle of" or "inside" in Japanese.
• で - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the place where something happens, in this case, "within nature".
• 大切 - means "important" or "valuable" in Japanese.
• な - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates an adjective.
• 存在 - means "existence" in Japanese.
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, which indicates the existence or identity of something.

消毒は大切です。

Shōdoku wa taisetsu desu

Disinfection is important.

Disinfection is important.

• 消毒 (shōdoku) - disinfection
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

清らかな心が大切です。

Kiyoraka na kokoro ga taisetsu desu

A pure heart is important.

A pure heart is important.

• 清らかな - It means "pure" or "clean".
• 心 - means "heart" or "mind".
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.