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.

重要

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.

Example Sentences - (重要) jyuuyou

See below some example sentences:

切開手術は非常に重要です。

Sekkai shujutsu wa hijō ni jūyō desu

Cutting surgery is very important.

Copple surgery is very important.

• 切開手術 - incision surgery
• は - Topic particle
• 非常に - extremely
• 重要 - important
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

力は人生で重要な要素です。

Chikara wa jinsei de juuyou na youso desu

Strength is an important element in life.

Power is an important factor in life.

• 力 (chikara) - strength, power
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 人生 (jinsei) - human life
• で (de) - grammatical particle that indicates the means or place where something happens
• 重要 (juuyou) - important
• な (na) - grammatical particle that indicates the adjectivization of a noun
• 要素 (yousou) - element, component
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

作成することは重要です。

Sakusei suru koto wa juuyou desu

Creating is important.

Creating is important.

• 作成する - It means "to create" or "to produce".
• こと - It is an abstract noun that means "thing" or "fact".
• は - It is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "create" or "produce".
• 重要 - It means "important" or "crucial."
• です - is a polite way of saying "ser" or "estar".

保温は冬にとても重要です。

Hoon wa fuyu ni totemo juuyou desu

Temperature maintenance is very important in winter.

Heat retention is very important in winter.

• 保温 - word meaning "thermal insulation"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 冬 - word meaning "winter"
• に - particle indicating the time at which something occurs
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 重要 - word meaning "important"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

今日の会議はとても重要です。

Kyou no kaigi wa totemo juuyou desu

Today's meeting is very important.

Today's meeting is very important.

• 今日の - today
• 会議 - meeting
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 重要 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

今日の会見は非常に重要です。

Kyou no kaiken wa hijou ni juuyou desu

Today's conference is very important.

Today's conference is very important.

• 今日の会見 - today's meeting
• は - Topic particle
• 非常に - extremely
• 重要 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

仮名遣いは日本語の重要な要素です。

Kanazukai wa nihongo no juuyou na youso desu

Japanese spelling is an important element of the Japanese language.

The passive noun is an important factor in Japanese.

• 仮名遣い (kana-yomi) - the Japanese writing system that uses syllabic characters (hiragana and katakana) to represent sounds and ideograms (kanji) to represent words
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本語 (nihongo) - Japanese language
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 要素 (yousou) - element, component
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

レンズはカメラの重要な部品です。

Renzu wa kamera no juuyou na bubun desu

Lenses are an important part of the camera.

The lens is an important part of the camera.

• レンズ (renzu) - lens
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• カメラ (kamera) - câmera
• の (no) - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 部品 (buhin) - component, part
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

スチュワーデスは飛行機の安全を守るために重要な役割を果たしています。

Sutyuwaadesu wa hikouki no anzen wo mamoru tame ni juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashite imasu

Stewardesses play an important role in the safety of planes.

The air hostess plays an important role to protect the safety of planes.

• スチュワーデス - Japanese word meaning "flight attendant".
• は - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "flight attendant".
• 飛行機 - Japanese word meaning "plane".
• の - possession particle that indicates that the object of the sentence is "plane safety".
• 安全 - Japanese word meaning "security".
• を - object particle indicating that "security" is the direct object of the action.
• 守る - Japanese verb meaning "protect" or "maintain".
• ために - Japanese expression meaning "for" or "in order to".
• 重要な - adjective in Japanese meaning "important".
• 役割 - Japanese word meaning "role" or "function".
• を - object particle indicating that "paper" is the direct object of the action.
• 果たしています - verb in Japanese meaning "to perform" or "to fulfill".

この布告は重要です。

Kono fukoku wa juuyou desu

This proclamation is important.

This statement is important.

• この - this
• 布告 - announcement
• は - Topic particle
• 重要 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present