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:

彼を追い出す必要がある。

Kare wo oidasu hitsuyou ga aru

We need to expel it.

You need to expel it.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 追い出す - Japanese verb meaning "to expel"
• 必要 - Japanese noun meaning "need"
• が - Subject particle in Japanese.
• ある - Japanese verb that means "to exist"

常識は社会生活において必要不可欠なものです。

Joushiki wa shakai seikatsu ni oite hitsuyou fukaketsu na mono desu

Common sense is essential in social life.

Common sense is essential in social life.

• 常識 - common knowledge
• 社会生活 - social life
• において - in
• 必要不可欠 - essential
• な - is
• もの - thing
• です - is

実業家はビジネスの世界で成功するために必要なスキルを持っています。

Jitsugyōka wa bijinesu no sekai de seikō suru tame ni hitsuyō na sukiru o motte imasu

An entrepreneur possesses the necessary skills to succeed in the business world.

Entrepreneurs have the necessary skills to succeed in the business world.

• 実業家 - entrepreneur
• は - Topic particle
• ビジネス - business
• の - Possession particle
• 世界 - world
• で - Location particle
• 成功する - succeed
• ために - for
• 必要な - necessary
• スキル - skills
• を - direct object particle
• 持っています - to possess

多少の努力は必要です。

Tashou no doryoku wa hitsuyou desu

Some effort is required.

Some efforts are needed.

• 多少 - It means "a little" or "some quantity."
• の - Possessive particle, indicating that "um pouco" belongs to something or someone.
• 努力 - means "effort" or "dedication".
• は - topic particle, indicating that "effort" is the theme of the sentence.
• 必要 - means "necessary" or "essential".
• です - verb ser/estar in the polite form.

夜具は寝る時に必要なものです。

Yagu wa neru toki ni hitsuyou na mono desu

Bedding is necessary for sleeping.

It takes hours to sleep.

• 夜具 (yagu) - night equipment
• 寝る (neru) - sleep
• 時 (toki) - Hora
• に (ni) - particle indicating time
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - necessary
• な (na) - grammatical particle
• もの (mono) - thing
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

変革は必要不可欠なものです。

Henkaku wa hitsuyō fukaketsu na mono desu

Change is essential and indispensable.

Transformation is indispensable.

• 変革 (henkaku) - means "change" or "reform"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 必要不可欠 (hitsuyoufukaketsu) - means "essential" or "indispensable"
• な (na) - grammatical particle that emphasizes the previous word
• もの (mono) - means "thing" or "object"
• です (desu) - verb "ser" or "estar" in the polite form

外貨を両替する必要があります。

Gaito wo ryōgae suru hitsuyō ga arimasu

You need to exchange foreign currency.

You need to exchange foreign currency.

• 外貨 - means "foreign currency".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 両替する - verb meaning "to exchange money".
• 必要 - adjective meaning "necessary".
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• あります - Verb that means "to exist" or "to have".

保守的な考え方は時に必要です。

Hoshuteki na kangaekata wa toki ni hitsuyou desu

Conservative thinking is sometimes necessary.

Conservative thinking is sometimes necessary.

• 保守的な - conservative
• 考え方 - way of thinking
• は - Topic particle
• 時に - sometimes
• 必要 - necessary
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

休養が必要です。

Kyūyō ga hitsuyō desu

Rest is necessary.

Rest is necessary.

• 休養 - rest, repose
• が - particle that indicates subject
• 必要 - necessary, essential
• です - verb to be in the polite form

乾電池は電力を供給するために必要です。

Kandenchi wa denryoku wo kyoukyuu suru tame ni hitsuyou desu

Dry batteries are needed to supply electrical power.

Batteries are needed to supply power.

• 乾電池 - Dry battery
• は - Topic particle
• 電力 - Electricity
• を - Direct object particle
• 供給する - Provide
• ために - For
• 必要です - Is required