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:

私はあなたに大切なことを伝えたいです。

Watashi wa anata ni taisetsu na koto o tsutaetai desu

I want to convey something important to you.

I want to say what's important.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• あなた (anata) - personal pronoun meaning "you"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the recipient of the action, in this case, "for you"
• 大切な (taisetsu na) - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
• こと (koto) - noun meaning "thing" or "subject"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "the thing"
• 伝えたい (tsutaetai) - verb that means "to want to convey" or "to want to communicate"
• です (desu) - particle that indicates the formality of the sentence or that the action is in the present

私の家族はとても大切です。

Watashi no kazoku wa totemo taisetsu desu

My family is very important to me.

My family is very important.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - possession particle in Japanese, indicating that "my" family home
• 家族 (kazoku) - means "family" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that "the family" is the subject of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very" in Japanese
• 大切 (taisetsu) - adjective meaning "important" or "precious" in Japanese
• です (desu) - verb to be in Japanese, indicating "is" important to my family

私のコレクションはとても大切です。

Watashi no korekushon wa totemo taisetsu desu

My collection is very important.

• 私 - Personal pronoun "I" in Japanese
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "de" in English
• コレクション - "coleção" - collection
• は - particle that indicates the theme of the sentence, equivalent to "is" or "are" in English
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 大切 - Adjective that means "important" or "precious".
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate formality and respect in communication

私の印鑑は大切なものです。

Watashi no inkan wa taisetsu na mono desu

My seal is important.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - Japanese particle indicating possession, equivalent to "de" in Portuguese
• 印鑑 - Japanese word meaning "stamp" or "seal"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 大切 - Japanese adjective meaning "important" or "precious"
• な - Japanese particle indicating an adjective
• もの - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• です - Japanese verb indicating "to be" or "to be", in the present tense

私たちはゆとりを持って生きることが大切だと思います。

Watashitachi wa yutori o motte ikiru koto ga taisetsu da to omoimasu

I think it's important to live with lots of space.

• 私たち - 「私たち」
• は - Japanese topic particle
• ゆとり - "Space" or "Margin" in Japanese
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 持って - "Have" or "Keep" in Japanese
• 生きる - "Viver" in Japanese
• こと - nominal particle in Japanese
• が - Subject particle in Japanese.
• 大切 - "importante" in Japanese
• と - Japanese quotation particle
• 思います - "Think" in Japanese (polite form)

私たちは地元の文化に溶け込むことを大切にしています。

Watashitachi wa jimoto no bunka ni tokekomu koto o taisetsu ni shiteimasu

We value integration into the local culture.

We value that in the local culture.

• 私たち - 私たち
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 地元 - "local" in Japanese
• の - Possession particle in Japanese
• 文化 - "cultura" in Japanese
• に - destination particle in Japanese
• 溶け込む - "se integrar" in Japanese
• こと - Abstract noun in Japanese
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 大切 - "Importante" in Japanese
• に - partítulo do modo em japonês
• しています - The polished form of the verb "fazer" in Japanese

私たちは美味しい且つ健康的な食事を食べることが大切だと思います。

Watashitachi wa oishii katsu kenkō

I think it's important to eat delicious and healthy meals.

• 私たち - Personal pronoun "we"
• 美味しい - Adjective "delicious"
• 且つ - conjunction "and"
• 健康的な - adjective "healthy"
• 食事 - noun "meal"
• を - direct object" particle
• 食べる - verb "to eat"
• こと - noun "thing"
• が - subject" particle
• 大切 - adjective "important"
• だ - verb to be"
• と - quote" particle
• 思います - verb "to think"

私たちは自然を養うことが大切だと信じています。

Watashitachi wa shizen o yashinau koto ga taisetsu da to shinjite imasu

We believe that it is important to cultivate nature.

We believe that it is important to develop nature.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 自然を - "Nature" in Japanese, direct object of the sentence.
• 養う - "Cultivar" or "nurture" in Japanese, a verb that indicates the action to be taken.
• ことが - Japanese particle that indicates that "cultivating nature" is the subject of the sentence.
• 大切 - "Important" or "valuable" in Japanese, an adjective that qualifies the action of cultivating nature.
• と - Japanese particle that indicates that the sentence continues
• 信じています - "Acreditamos" in Japanese, a verb that indicates the belief or opinion of the speakers.

私たちは常に新しい挑戦に挑むことが大切です。

Watashitachi wa tsuneni atarashii chōsen ni idomu koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to always face new challenges.

• 私たちは - We
• 常に - Always
• 新しい - New
• 挑戦 - challenges
• に - For
• 挑む - face
• こと - things
• が - are
• 大切 - Importantes
• です - are

私たちは常に自己啓発を深めることが大切だと信じています。

Watashitachi wa tsuneni jiko keihatsu o fukameru koto ga taisetsu da to shinjiteimasu

We believe it is important to always deepen self -development.

• 私たちは - We
• 常に - Always
• 自己啓発 - Self-development
• を - object particle
• 深める - Deepen
• こと - Abstract noun
• が - Subject particle
• 大切 - Important
• だ - Verb "to be"
• と - Quotation particle
• 信じています - We believe