Translation and Meaning of: 必要 - hitsuyou

The Japanese word 「必要」 (hitsuyou) is a combination of two distinct kanji: 「必」 and 「要」. The etymology reveals that 「必」 (hitsu) means "inevitable" or "necessary", while 「要」 (you) means "precise" or "to require". Together, these words form a term that expresses the idea of something that is necessary or essential. The use of this word dates back to ancient eras, highlighting the importance of concepts of necessity and essentiality in various everyday situations in Japanese culture.

In the Japanese language, 「必要」 is widely used to express the need or importance of something. For example, it can refer to the importance of certain tasks at work, or the necessity of items on a daily shopping list. The word encompasses both tangible aspects, such as material objects, and intangible ones, such as skills or knowledge essential for personal and professional development.

Furthermore, variations of this word, such as the adjectives 「必要な」 (hitsuyou na) and the adverbial expressions 「必要以上に」 (hitsuyou ijou ni), are often used to describe situations or needs in specific contexts. The first refers to something that is necessary, while the second describes an action that goes beyond what is necessary. These nuances demonstrate the flexibility and relevance of the word within the Japanese language, revealing its importance not only in the language but also in how cultural values of practicality and efficiency are articulated in daily social interactions.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 必要 (Hitsuyou) - Necessary; something that is essential.
• 必需 (Hitsuju) - Essential; something that cannot be dispensed with.
• 必要性 (Hitsuyousei) - Need; the quality of being necessary.
• 必要条件 (Hitsuyoujouken) - Necessary conditions; requirements that must be met.
• 必要とする (Hitsuyou to suru) - To need; to be in a condition of requiring something.
• 必要量 (Hitsuyouryou) - Necessary quantity; the measure that is essential.

必要

Romaji: hitsuyou
Kana: ひつよう
Type: Noun, adjective
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: necessary; essential; indispensable

Meaning in English: necessary;essential;indispensable

Definition: Necessary - Something that must be, something that is essential.

Example Sentences - (必要) hitsuyou

See below some example sentences:

主要なポイントを押さえる必要がある。

Shuyō na pointo o osaeru hitsuyō ga aru

It is necessary to highlight the main points.

It is necessary to keep pressing the main points.

• 主要な - It means "main" or "most important".
• ポイント - It means "point" or "aspect".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 押さえる - Verb that means "to hold" or "to keep under control".
• 必要がある - Expression that means "it is necessary" or "it is required".

ペンチを買う必要があります。

Penchi wo kau hitsuyou ga arimasu

I need to buy pliers.

You need to buy pliers.

• ペンチ (penchi) - pliers
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 買う (kau) - buy
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - necessary
• が (ga) - subject particle
• あります (arimasu) - exists

セメントは建築に必要な素材です。

Semento wa kenchiku ni hitsuyou na sozai desu

Cement is a necessary material for construction.

Cement is a material necessary for architecture.

• セメント - cement
• は - Topic particle
• 建築 - construction
• に - target particle
• 必要 - necessary
• な - adjective particle
• 素材 - material
• です - Verb to be/estar

この廃棄物は適切に処理する必要があります。

Kono haiki butsu wa tekisetsu ni shori suru hitsuyō ga arimasu

This residue must be processed correctly.

This residue must be processed correctly.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 廃棄物 - Noun that means "residue" or "garbage"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 適切に - adverb that means "adequately" or "correctly"
• 処理する - verb that means "to process" or "to treat"
• 必要があります - Expression that means "it is necessary" or "must be done".

この書類の参照は必要です。

Kono shorui no sanshō wa hitsuyō desu

Reference to this document is required.

This document is required.

• この - indicates "this" or "this document"
• 書類 - means "document"
• の - particle that indicates possession, in this case "of the document"
• 参照 - means "reference" or "consultation"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "the reference"
• 必要 - means "necessary" or "essential"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この機械の部品は交換が必要です。

Kono kikai no buhin wa kōkan ga hitsuyō desu

Parts of this machine need to be replaced.

Parts of this machine must be replaced.

• この - indicates the object being mentioned, in this case "this"
• 機械 - machine
• の - particle that indicates ownership, in this case "of the machine"
• 部品 - part
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "the piece"
• 交換 - exchange, replacement
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "the exchange"
• 必要 - necessary
• です - verb to be in the present affirmative

この車を直す必要があります。

Kono kuruma wo naosu hitsuyou ga arimasu

We need to fix this car.

You need to fix this car.

• この - this
• 車 - car
• を - object particle
• 直す - consertar
• 必要 - necessary
• が - subject particle
• あります - exists

「改革は必要不可欠だ。」

Kaikaku wa hitsuyō fukaketsu da

Reform is essential and necessary.

Reform is essential.

• 「改革」- means "reform" or "change"
• 「は」- grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 「必要不可欠」- means "necessary" or "essential"
• 「だ」- Verb "to be" in the present tense

「この文章に何か付け加える必要がある。」

Kono bunshou ni nanika tsukekaeru hitsuyou ga aru

I need to add something to this sentence.

• 「 - opening character in Japanese.
• この - Demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one".
• 文章 - Noun that means "text" or "written document".
• に - particle indicating action of destination or place where something happens.
• 何か - indefinite pronoun meaning "something".
• 付け加える - verb meaning "to add" or "to add".
• 必要 - adjective meaning "necessary" or "essential".
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• ある - Verb that means "to exist" or "to have".
• 。 - closing character in Japanese.

あなたは自分の選択を絞る必要があります。

Anata wa jibun no sentaku o shiboru hitsuyō ga arimasu

You need to narrow your choices.

• あなた (anata) - Japanese personal pronoun meaning "you"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 自分の (jibun no) - Japanese possessive pronoun meaning "your own"
• 選択 (senta ku) - Japanese noun meaning "choice/selection"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 絞る (shiboru) - Japanese verb meaning "to restrict/limit"
• 必要があります (hitsuyou ga arimasu) - Japanese expression meaning "it is necessary"