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:

オイルを交換する必要があります。

Oiru wo koukan suru hitsuyou ga arimasu

It is necessary to change the oil.

You need to replace the oil.

• オイル (oiru) - oil
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 交換する (koukan suru) - Change, replace
• 必要があります (hitsuyou ga arimasu) - Is required

この家具を壁に据え付ける必要があります。

Kono kagu o kabe ni suetsukeru hitsuyō ga arimasu

It is necessary to install these furniture on the wall.

• この - this
• 家具 - mobile
• を - object particle
• 壁 - wall
• に - Location particle
• 据え付ける - install
• 必要 - necessary
• が - subject particle
• あります - exists

この事件の経緯を調べる必要があります。

Kono jiken no keii wo shiraberu hitsuyou ga arimasu

It is necessary to investigate the history of this incident.

It is necessary to examine the background of this case.

• この - this
• 事件 - incident
• の - of
• 経緯 - circumstances
• を - object of the action
• 調べる - investigate
• 必要 - necessary
• が - subject particle
• あります - exists

この情報は広まる必要がある。

Kono jōhō wa hirobaru hitsuyō ga aru

This information needs to get out.

• この - demonstrative pronoun "this"
• 情報 - noun "information"
• は - Topic particle
• 広まる - verb "to spread"
• 必要 - noun "necessity"
• が - subject particle
• ある - verb "to exist"

このアプリはインターネットに接続する必要があります。

Kono apuri wa intaanetto ni setsuzoku suru hitsuyou ga arimasu

This app must be connected to the internet.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• アプリ - abbreviation of "application", referring to software for mobile devices
• は - topic particle, indicating that the subject of the sentence is the application
• インターネット - global network of computers that allows communication and information sharing
• に - destination particle, indicating that the application needs to connect to the Internet
• 接続する - "Verb that means 'to connect'"
• 必要があります - expression that means "it is necessary", indicating that the Internet connection is mandatory

このシャツを染める必要がある。

Kono shatsu wo someru hitsuyou ga aru

I need to dye this shirt.

You need to dye this shirt.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• シャツ - noun meaning "shirt"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 染める - verb that means "to dye"
• 必要 - noun that means "need" or "essential"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ある - verb that means "to exist," "to have," or "to be"

このスープは水で薄める必要があります。

Kono suupu wa mizu de usumeru hitsuyou ga arimasu

This soup needs to be diluted with water.

This soup must be diluted with water.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• スープ - noun meaning "soup"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 水 - noun meaning "water"
• で - particle that indicates the means or instrument used
• 薄める - verb meaning "to dilute"
• 必要 - noun meaning "need"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• あります - verb meaning "to exist" or "to have"

この問題の実態を明らかにする必要があります。

Kono mondai no jittai o akiraka ni suru hitsuyō ga arimasu

We need to clarify the reality of this problem.

It is necessary to clarify the real situation of this problem.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 実態 - noun meaning "reality" or "true nature"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 明らかにする - compound verb meaning "to make clear" or "to reveal"
• 必要があります - expression indicating necessity or obligation

この建物は修繕が必要です。

Kono tatemono wa shūzen ga hitsuyō desu

This building needs repairs.

This building requires repair.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 建物 - noun meaning "building" or "construction"
• は - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "this building"
• 修繕 - noun meaning "repair" or "maintenance"
• が - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "repair" or "maintenance"
• 必要 - adjective meaning "necessary" or "essential"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and respectful way of expressing oneself in Japanese

この本は編集が必要です。

Kono hon wa henshū ga hitsuyō desu

This book needs editing.

This book requires edition.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "this book"
• 編集 - noun meaning "editing" or "revision"
• が - subject particle indicating that "edition" is the subject of the sentence
• 必要 - adjective meaning "necessary" or "essential"
• です - linking verb indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and is affirmative