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:

疑問を持つことは大切です。

Gimon wo motsu koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to have doubts.

It is important to have a question.

• 疑問 (gimon) - It means "doubt" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 持つ (motsu) - verb that means "have" or "possess" in Japanese
• こと (koto) - Abstract noun in Japanese, which can be translated as "thing" or "fact"
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - adjective that means "important" or "valuable" in Japanese
• です (desu) - verb to be in Japanese, used to indicate an affirmation or a formal statement

直ぐに行動することが大切です。

Sugu ni koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It's important to act quickly.

It is important to act immediately.

• 直ぐに - immediately
• 行動する - Act
• こと - thing
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

直感に従って行動することが大切です。

Chokkan ni shitagatte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act on intuition.

• 直感 (chokkan) - intuition
• に従って (ni shitagatte) - seguindo
• 行動する (koudou suru) - Act
• ことが (koto ga) - is important
• 大切です (taisetsu desu) - to be valuable

看護師は病気の人々を助けるために大切な存在です。

Kangoshi wa byouki no hitobito wo tasukeru tame ni taisetsu na sonzai desu

Nurses are an important presence to help sick people.

Nurses are important to help sick people.

• 看護師 - nurse
• は - Topic particle
• 病気 - illness
• の - Possessive particle
• 人々 - people
• を - Direct object particle
• 助ける - to help
• ために - For
• 大切な - Important
• 存在 - existence
• です - Verb to be/estar

相手を尊重することが大切です。

Sōteki o sonchō suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to respect your opponent.

It is important to respect the other person.

• 相手 - (the other) person
• を - object particle
• 尊重する - to respect
• こと - verb noun
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

相手を大切にしましょう。

Aite wo taisetsu ni shimashou

Let's value our partners.

Take care of your opponent.

• 相手 (aite) - means "partner" or "opponent" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 大切 (taisetsu) - means "important" or "precious" in Japanese
• に (ni) - destination particle in Japanese
• しましょう (shimashou) - "We will do"

祖先を大切にしましょう。

Sosen wo taisetsu ni shimashou

Let's value our ancestors.

Let's value your ancestors.

• 祖先 (sosen) - ancestral
• を (wo) - partícula que indica o objeto da frase
• 大切 (taisetsu) - importante, precioso
• に (ni) - particle indicating the manner or way in which something is done
• しましょう (shimashou) - vamos fazer, vamos fazer

神話は古代の人々の信仰や文化を伝える大切な物語です。

Shinwa wa kodai no hitobito no shinkō ya bunka o tsutaeru taisetsu na monogatari desu

Myth is an important story that conveys the religion and culture of ancient people.

• 神話 - Myth
• は - Topic particle
• 古代 - Antique
• の - Possession particle
• 人々 - people
• の - Possession particle
• 信仰 - Faith
• や - enumeration particle
• 文化 - culture
• を - object particle
• 伝える - transmit
• 大切 - important
• な - Suffix indicating adjective
• 物語 - history
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

私は毎日新しいことを学ぶことが大切だと思います。

Watashi wa mainichi atarashii koto wo manabu koto ga taisetsu da to omoimasu

I believe it's important to learn new things every day.

I think it's important to learn something new everyday.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - Japanese adverb meaning "every day"
• 新しい (atarashii) - 新しい (atarashii)
• こと (koto) - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 学ぶ (manabu) - Japanese verb that means "to learn"
• こと (koto) - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• が (ga) - Japanese particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• 大切 (taisetsu) - Japanese adjective that means "important"
• だ (da) - Japanese verb that means "to be"
• と (to) - Japanese particle that indicates the quotation of an opinion or thought
• 思います (omoimasu) - Japanese verb that means "to think"

私はお金を蓄えることが大切だと思います。

Watashi wa okane o takuwaeru koto ga taisetsu da to omoimasu

I think it's important to save money.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• お金 (okane) - noun meaning "money"
• を (wo) - particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case "money"
• 蓄える (takuwaeru) - verb meaning "to accumulate" or "to save"
• こと (koto) - noun indicating an abstract action or event, in this case "saving"
• が (ga) - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "save"
• 大切 (taisetsu) - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
• だ (da) - auxiliary verb indicating the present affirmative form of the sentence
• と (to) - particle indicating a quotation or thought, in this case "I think"
• 思います (omoimasu) - verb meaning "to think" or "to believe"