Translation and Meaning of: 重要 - jyuuyou

The Japanese word 重要[じゅうよう] is an essential term for anyone studying the language or interested in Japanese culture. Its meaning goes beyond the simple translation, carrying nuances that reflect the deep values of Japanese society. In this article, we will explore what makes this word so relevant, from its origin to its use in everyday life and in formal contexts.

In addition to understanding what 重要 literally means, we will see how it is perceived by native speakers, its frequency in conversations, and even tips for memorizing it effectively. If you have ever wondered why this word appears so often in animes, dramas, or even in official documents, keep reading to find out.

Meaning and Translation of 重要

The word 重要[じゅうよう] is generally translated as "important" or "essential." However, its meaning in Japanese goes a bit further, indicating something that carries weight, value, or priority in a specific context. It is often used to describe tasks, decisions, or objects that cannot be neglected.

Unlike other words that also mean "important," such as 大切[たいせつ], 重要 has a more objective and practical tone. While 大切 can convey a sense of affection or care, 重要 is more often used in situations that require seriousness, such as in work or strategic discussions.

Origin and Composition of Kanji

The kanji 重要 is composed of two characters: 重[じゅう], which means "heavy" or "important," and 要[よう], which can be translated as "necessary" or "essential." Together, they convey the idea of something that has significant weight and cannot be ignored. This combination reflects well the usage of the word in modern Japanese.

It's worth noting that 重 also appears in other words related to importance, such as 重大[じゅうだい] (grave, serious) and 重視[じゅうし] (to give importance). On the other hand, 要 is a versatile kanji, found in terms like 要点[ようてん] (main point) and 必要[ひつよう] (necessary). Understanding these components helps to memorize the meaning of 重要 more easily.

Cultural Usage and Frequency in Daily Life

In Japan, 重要 is a word that frequently appears in professional and educational settings. Companies use it to highlight priority goals, while schools employ it to emphasize essential content. Its presence in manuals, contracts, and official communications shows its significance in formal language.

Outside the workplace, 重要 also comes up in discussions about health, safety, and family planning. For example, phrases like "これは重要な問題です" (This is an important issue) are common in news reports and public debates. This broad application makes the word one of the most useful for those who want to communicate accurately in Japanese.

Tips for Memorizing and Using Correctly

An effective way to reinforce 重要 is to associate it with concrete situations where something is truly indispensable. Think of phrases like "この書類は重要です" (This document is important) or "重要な会議があります" (There is an important meeting). Repeating these examples out loud helps to internalize the term.

Another tip is to observe the use of 重要 in authentic materials, such as newspapers, podcasts, or Japanese series. Often, the context in which the word appears reveals nuances that dictionaries do not fully explain. Over time, you will begin to notice when and how to use it naturally.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 重大 (juudai) - Very serious, of great importance or magnitude.
• 大切 (taisetsu) - Important, valuable; emphasizes the care or consideration we must have.
• 重要性のある (juuyousei no aru) - What is important; used to describe something that is essential or significant.
• 要するに (yosuru ni) - In summary; used to simplify or summarize information, emphasizing the essential.
• 要件 (youken) - Requirement, a necessary condition; highlights the need to achieve a goal.
• 要点 (youten) - Main point; refers to the most important or central parts of a discussion.

重要

Romaji: jyuuyou
Kana: じゅうよう
Type: Noun, adjective
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: important; significant; fundamental; main; big

Meaning in English: important;momentous;essential;principal;major

Definition: It's important.

Example Sentences - (重要) jyuuyou

See below some example sentences:

家畜は農業にとって重要な存在です。

Kachiku wa nōgyō ni totte jūyōna sonzai desu

Cattle is an important thing for agriculture.

• 家畜 - farm animals
• は - Topic particle
• 農業 - agriculture
• にとって - for
• 重要な - important
• 存在 - existence
• です - is

心臓は体の中で最も重要な器官です。

Shinzou wa karada no naka de mottomo juuyou na kikan desu

The heart is the most important organ in the body.

• 心臓 (shinzou) - heart
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 体 (karada) - body
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 中 (naka) - inside
• で (de) - Location particle
• 最も (mottomo) - the most
• 重要 (juuyou) - important
• な (na) - adjective particle
• 器官 (kikan) - organ
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

慣用句は日本語の表現を理解する上で重要です。

Kanyouku wa nihongo no hyougen wo rikai suru ue de juuyou desu

The Institute of Ideas is important for understanding Japanese expressions.

• 慣用句 - Idiomatic expressions
• は - Topic particle
• 日本語 - Japanese language
• の - Possessive particle
• 表現 - expression
• を - Direct object particle
• 理解する - to understand
• 上で - In the perspective of
• 重要 - Important
• です - Verb to be

把握することが重要です。

Hawaku suru koto ga juuyou desu

It is important to have a firm understanding.

It is important to understand.

• 把握すること - meaning "to understand", is an expression made up of two kanji (把 and 握) which together form the word "hakuaku", which can be translated as "to grasp firmly".
• が - it is a grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "comprehend" or "understand".
• 重要です - meaning "it's important", is an expression made up of two kanji (重 and 要) which together form the word "juuyou", which can be translated as "important" or "essential". The "です" is a grammatical particle that indicates the formality of the sentence.

抗議することは重要です。

Kougi suru koto wa juuyou desu

Protesting is important.

It is important to protest.

• 抗議する - to protest
• こと - noun indicating action or event
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 重要 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

政策は国の未来を決める重要な要素です。

Seisaku wa kuni no mirai o kimeru juuyou na youso desu

Politics is an important element that decides the country's future.

Politics is an important factor in determining the country's future.

• 政策 (seisaku) - Policy
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 国 (kuni) - Country
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 未来 (mirai) - Future
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 決める (kimeru) - Decide
• 重要な (juuyou na) - Important
• 要素 (yousou) - Element
• です (desu) - polite way of being

数字は重要な役割を果たします。

Sūji wa jūyōna yakuwari o hatashimasu

Numbers play an important role.

• 数字 (suuji) - means "number" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 重要な (juuyou na) - 重要 (じゅうよう)
• 役割 (yakuwari) - means "role" or "function" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 果たします (hatashimasu) - verb meaning "to perform" or "to fulfill" in Japanese

昆虫は自然の中でとても重要な役割を果たしています。

Kunchū wa shizen no naka de totemo jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Insects play a very important role in nature.

• 昆虫 (konchuu) - Insects
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自然 (shizen) - nature
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 中で (chuu de) - Inside of
• とても (totemo) - very
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 役割を果たしています (yakuwari wo hatashite imasu) - play a role

検査は健康のために重要です。

Kensa wa kenkou no tame ni juuyou desu

The exams are important for health.

Inspection is important for health.

• 検査 (kensa) - exam, test
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 健康 (kenkou) - health
• のために (no tame ni) - to, with the objective of
• 重要 (juuyou) - important
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

民間企業は経済の発展に重要な役割を果たしています。

Minkan kigyou wa keizai no hatten ni juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashite imasu

Private companies play an important role in the development of the economy.

• 民間企業 - Private companies
• は - Topic particle
• 経済 - economy
• の - Possession particle
• 発展 - development
• に - target particle
• 重要 - important
• な - adjective particle
• 役割 - role/function
• を - direct object particle
• 果たしています - perform (verb)