Translation and Meaning of: 重要 - jyuuyou
The Japanese word 重要[じゅうよう] is an essential term for anyone studying the language or interested in Japanese culture. Its meaning goes beyond the simple translation, carrying nuances that reflect the deep values of Japanese society. In this article, we will explore what makes this word so relevant, from its origin to its use in everyday life and in formal contexts.
In addition to understanding what 重要 literally means, we will see how it is perceived by native speakers, its frequency in conversations, and even tips for memorizing it effectively. If you have ever wondered why this word appears so often in animes, dramas, or even in official documents, keep reading to find out.
Meaning and Translation of 重要
The word 重要[じゅうよう] is generally translated as "important" or "essential." However, its meaning in Japanese goes a bit further, indicating something that carries weight, value, or priority in a specific context. It is often used to describe tasks, decisions, or objects that cannot be neglected.
Unlike other words that also mean "important," such as 大切[たいせつ], 重要 has a more objective and practical tone. While 大切 can convey a sense of affection or care, 重要 is more often used in situations that require seriousness, such as in work or strategic discussions.
Origin and Composition of Kanji
The kanji 重要 is composed of two characters: 重[じゅう], which means "heavy" or "important," and 要[よう], which can be translated as "necessary" or "essential." Together, they convey the idea of something that has significant weight and cannot be ignored. This combination reflects well the usage of the word in modern Japanese.
It's worth noting that 重 also appears in other words related to importance, such as 重大[じゅうだい] (grave, serious) and 重視[じゅうし] (to give importance). On the other hand, 要 is a versatile kanji, found in terms like 要点[ようてん] (main point) and 必要[ひつよう] (necessary). Understanding these components helps to memorize the meaning of 重要 more easily.
Cultural Usage and Frequency in Daily Life
In Japan, 重要 is a word that frequently appears in professional and educational settings. Companies use it to highlight priority goals, while schools employ it to emphasize essential content. Its presence in manuals, contracts, and official communications shows its significance in formal language.
Outside the workplace, 重要 also comes up in discussions about health, safety, and family planning. For example, phrases like "これは重要な問題です" (This is an important issue) are common in news reports and public debates. This broad application makes the word one of the most useful for those who want to communicate accurately in Japanese.
Tips for Memorizing and Using Correctly
An effective way to reinforce 重要 is to associate it with concrete situations where something is truly indispensable. Think of phrases like "この書類は重要です" (This document is important) or "重要な会議があります" (There is an important meeting). Repeating these examples out loud helps to internalize the term.
Another tip is to observe the use of 重要 in authentic materials, such as newspapers, podcasts, or Japanese series. Often, the context in which the word appears reveals nuances that dictionaries do not fully explain. Over time, you will begin to notice when and how to use it naturally.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 重大 (juudai) - Very serious, of great importance or magnitude.
- 大切 (taisetsu) - Important, valuable; emphasizes the care or consideration we must have.
- 重要性のある (juuyousei no aru) - What is important; used to describe something that is essential or significant.
- 要するに (yosuru ni) - In summary; used to simplify or summarize information, emphasizing the essential.
- 要件 (youken) - Requirement, a necessary condition; highlights the need to achieve a goal.
- 要点 (youten) - Main point; refers to the most important or central parts of a discussion.
Related words
tamotsu
maintain; preserve; sustain; retain; keep; support; uphold; last; endure; keep well (food); wear out
Romaji: jyuuyou
Kana: じゅうよう
Type: Noun, adjective
L: jlpt-n3
Translation / Meaning: important; significant; fundamental; main; big
Meaning in English: important;momentous;essential;principal;major
Definition: It's important.
Quick Access
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How to Write in Japanese - (重要) jyuuyou
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (重要) jyuuyou:
Example Sentences - (重要) jyuuyou
See below some example sentences:
Koukoku wa shouhisha ni seihin ya saabisu wo shiraseru tame ni juuyou desu
Advertising is important to inform consumers about products and services.
Advertising is important to inform consumers about products and services.
- 広告 (koukoku) - Advertising
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 消費者 (shouhisha) - consumers
- に (ni) - target particle
- 製品 (seihin) - Products
- や (ya) - enumeration particle
- サービス (saabisu) - services
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 知らせる (shiraseru) - inform
- ために (tameni) - for
- 重要 (juuyou) - important
- です (desu) - verb to be
Shomin wa shakai no naka de juuyou na sonzai desu
Ordinary people are an important presence in society.
Ordinary people are important in society.
- 庶民 - It means "common people" or "working class."
- は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "庶民".
- 社会 - It means "society".
- の - ownership particle, indicates that "社会" is the owner of "庶民".
- 中で - It means "in the middle of" or "inside of".
- 重要な - adjective that means "important".
- 存在 - means "existence" or "presence".
- です - Verb "to be" in polite form.
Shounika wa kodomo no kenkou wo mamoru tame ni juuyou na kamoku desu
Pediatrics is an important discipline to protect the health of children.
Pediatrics is an important matter to protect your child's health.
- 小児科 - pediatric medical specialty
- 子供 - child
- 健康 - health
- 守る - protect
- ために - for
- 重要 - important
- 科目 - discipline
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Kōgyō wa Nihon no keizai ni totte jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu
Industry plays an important role in the economy of Japan.
Industry plays an important role in the Japanese economy.
- 工業 (kougyou) - industry
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 日本 (nihon) - Japan
- の (no) - Possession particle
- 経済 (keizai) - economy
- にとって (nitotte) - for
- 重要な (juuyouna) - important
- 役割 (yakuwari) - paper
- を果たしています (wo hatashiteimasu) - performs
Taidowa wa aite o rikai suru tame no juuyou na shudan desu
Dialogue is an important means of understanding the other person.
Dialogue is an important means to understand the other person.
- 対話 (taiwa) - dialogue
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 相手 (aite) - another person, interlocutor
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 理解する (rikai suru) - Understand
- ための (tame no) - for
- 重要な (juuyou na) - important
- 手段 (shudan) - middle, method
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar
Fujin wa shakai no juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashiteimasu
Women play an important role in society.
Women play an important role in society.
- 婦人 - woman
- は - Topic particle
- 社会 - society
- の - Possession particle
- 重要な - important
- 役割 - role/function
- を - direct object particle
- 果たしています - performing
Gakujutsu kenkyū wa shakai ni kōken suru jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu
Academic research plays an important role in contributing to society.
Academic research plays an important role in contributing to society.
- 学術研究 - gakujutsu kenkyuu- academic research
- は - wa- Topic particle
- 社会 - shakai- society
- に - ni- target particle
- 貢献する - kouken suru- contribute
- 重要な - juuyou na- important
- 役割 - role- Paper, function
- を - I'm sorry, but I can't assist with that.- direct object particle
- 果たしています - hatashite imasu- perform, fulfill
Chishitsugaku wa chikyū no rekishi o kaimei suru tame ni jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu
Geology plays an important role in understanding earth history.
Geology plays an important role in the elucidation of earth history.
- 地質学 - geological science
- 地球 - Planet Earth
- 歴史 - history
- 解明する - clarify
- ために - for
- 重要な - important
- 役割 - paper
- 果たしています - performs
Shōgyō wa keizai no jūyōna bun'ya desu
Trade is an important sector of the economy.
Commercial is an important field of economics.
- 商業 - trade
- は - Topic particle
- 経済 - economy
- の - Possession particle
- 重要な - important
- 分野 - Field, area
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Bunseki wa juuyou na sukiru desu
Analysis is an important skill.
Analysis is an important skill.
- 分析 (ぶんせき) - analysis
- は - Topic particle
- 重要 (じゅうよう) - important
- な - adjective particle
- スキル (すきる) - ability
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Other Words of this Type: Noun, adjective
See other words from our dictionary that are also: Noun, adjective
