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:

決定は重要なプロセスです。

Kettei wa juuyou na purosesu desu

Decision making is an important process.

The decision is an important process.

• 決定 - decision
• は - Topic particle
• 重要な - important
• プロセス - process
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

根は樹木の命を支える重要な部分です。

Ne wa jumoku no inochi wo sasaeru juuyou na bubun desu

Roots are an important part that sustains the life of trees.

The root is an important part that supports the life of a tree.

• 根 - root
• は - Topic particle
• 樹木 - tree
• の - Possession particle
• 命 - life
• を - direct object particle
• 支える - to support
• 重要な - important
• 部分 - part
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

栽培は農業の重要な要素です。

Saibai wa nōgyō no jūyōna yōso desu

Cultivation is an important element in agriculture.

Cultivation is an important factor in agriculture.

• 栽培 - cultivation
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 農業 - agriculture
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 重要な - Important
• 要素 - Element
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

標準を守ることは重要です。

Hyoujun wo mamoru koto wa juuyou desu

It is important to follow the pattern.

It is important to follow the pattern.

• 標準 - pattern
• を - object particle
• 守る - protect, maintain
• こと - abstract noun
• は - Topic particle
• 重要 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

書籍は知識を広げるための重要な道具です。

Shoseki wa chishiki wo hirogeru tame no juuyou na dougu desu

Books are important tools to expand knowledge.

Books are important tools for expanding knowledge.

• 書籍 - means "book" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "book".
• 知識 - means "knowledge" in Japanese.
• を - object particle indicating that "knowledge" is the direct object of the action.
• 広げる - means "expand" or "widen" in Japanese, and is the verb of the sentence.
• ための - means "for" or "in order to" in Japanese, and is an expression that indicates the purpose of the action.
• 重要な - means "important" in Japanese, and is an adjective that modifies "道具" (tool).
• 道具 - means "tool" in Japanese, and is the noun that indicates the object that is important to expand knowledge.
• です - is the verb "to be" in Japanese, which indicates that the sentence is an affirmative statement.

文語を学ぶことは日本語を深く理解するために重要です。

Bungo wo manabu koto wa Nihongo wo fukaku rikai suru tame ni juuyou desu

Learning Bungo is important for understanding Japanese deeply.

Learning phrases are important for deep understanding of Japanese.

• 文語 - It means "written language" or "classical Japanese".
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
• 学ぶ - verb that means "study" or "learn".
• こと - Noun meaning "thing" or "fact".
• は - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 日本語 - It means "Japanese".
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
• 深く - adverb that means "deeply".
• 理解する - verb that means "to understand" or "to comprehend".
• ために - expression that means "for" or "in order to".
• 重要です - adjective that means "important".

排水は重要な環境問題です。

Haisui wa juuyou na kankyou mondai desu

Drainage is an important environmental issue.

Drainage is an important environmental problem.

• 排水 - Means "sewer" in Japanese.
• は - is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 重要な - means "important" in Japanese, and is an adjective that modifies the noun "環境問題".
• 環境問題 - means "environmental problem" in Japanese, and is the subject of the sentence.
• です - is a polite way of saying "is" in Japanese, and indicates that the sentence is a statement.

政治は国家の発展にとって重要な役割を果たしています。

Seiji wa kokka no hatten ni totte juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashiteimasu

Politics plays an important role in the country's development.

Politics plays an important role in the development of the nation.

• 政治 (seiji) - politics
• 国家 (kokka) - Estado, nação
• 発展 (hatten) - development
• にとって (ni totte) - for, in relation to
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 役割 (yakuwari) - Paper, function
• を果たしています (wo hatashite imasu) - performs

手段は目的を達成するための重要な要素です。

Shudan wa mokuteki o tassei suru tame no juuyou na youso desu

The means are an important element in achieving a goal.

A means is an important factor in achieving your goals.

• 手段 (shudan) - means
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 目的 (mokuteki) - objective
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 達成する (tassei suru) - Achieve, accomplish
• ための (tame no) - from, to
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 要素 (yousou) - element
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

抑制することは自己制御の重要な要素です。

Yokusei suru koto wa jiko seigyo no juuyou na youso desu

Exercising control is an important element of self-control.

Control is an important factor in self-control.

• 抑制する - Verb that means "inhibit", "repress", "control".
• こと - noun meaning "thing", "fact"
• は - particle that marks the theme of the sentence
• 自己制御 - Compound noun that means "self-control", "self-discipline".
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 重要な - Adjective meaning "important"
• 要素 - noun that means "element", "component"
• です - verb indicating "to be" or "to exist" in a polite form