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:

社交は人間関係を築くために重要な要素です。

Shakou wa ningen kankei o kizuku tame ni juuyou na youso desu

Socialization is an important factor in building relationships.

• 社交 - "interação social" em japonês significa 社会的相互作用 (しゃかいてきそうごさよう).
• 人間関係 - "人間関係" em japonês.
• 築く - "Construir" em japonês significa 建設する (けんせつする, kensetsu suru).
• ために - It is a Japanese particle that indicates the purpose of something, in this case, "for".
• 重要な - means "important" in Japanese.
• 要素 - It means "element" in Japanese.
• です - It is a polite way to say "is" in Japanese.

私は友達に人生の重要な決定を諮る必要がある。

Watashi wa tomodachi ni jinsei no juuyou na ketsudan wo hakaru hitsuyou ga aru

I need to consult my friends about the important decisions of life.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 友達 (tomodachi) - noun meaning "friend"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case "for the friend"
• 人生 (jinsei) - substantive that means "life"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case "of life"
• 重要な (juuyouna) - Adjective meaning "important"
• 決定 (kettei) - noun that means "decision"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case "the decision"
• 諮る (shiru) - verb that means "to consult"
• 必要がある (hitsuyou ga aru) - expression that means "to be necessary"

私たちは信任関係を築くことが重要だと信じています。

Watashitachi wa shinnin kankei o kizuku koto ga juuyou da to shinjite imasu

We believe it is important to build trust.

• 私たちは - We
• 信任関係 - Relationship of trust
• を - object particle
• 築く - Build
• こと - Abstract noun
• が - Subject particle
• 重要 - Important
• だ - Abbreviated form of です (to be).
• と - Quotation particle
• 信じています - We believe

紙はとても重要な素材です。

Kami wa totemo juuyou na sozai desu

The paper is a very important material.

• 紙 (kami) - paper
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 重要 (juuyou) - important
• な (na) - adjectival particle
• 素材 (sozai) - material
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

経済は国の発展にとって非常に重要です。

Keizai wa kuni no hatten ni totte hijō ni jūyō desu

The economy is very important for the country's development.

• 経済 - Economy
• は - Topic particle
• 国 - Country
• の - Possessive particle
• 発展 - Development
• にとって - For
• 非常に - Very
• 重要 - Important
• です - Verb to be (formal)

維持することは重要です。

Iji suru koto wa juuyou desu

Maintaining is important.

It is important to maintain.

• 維持する - keep
• こと - thing
• は - Topic particle
• 重要 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

脳は人間の最も重要な器官の一つです。

Nou wa ningen no mottomo juuyou na kikan no hitotsu desu

The brain is one of the most important organs of human beings.

• 脳 (nou) - brain
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 人間 (ningen) - Human being
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 最も (mottomo) - the most
• 重要な (juuyouna) - important
• 器官 (kikan) - organ
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 一つ (hitotsu) - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です (desu) - to be

脇役は重要な役割を果たします。

Wakiyaku wa juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashimasu

Support role plays an important role.

• 脇役 - supporting character
• は - Topic particle
• 重要な - important
• 役割 - Paper, function
• を - direct object particle
• 果たします - perform, fulfill

要素を理解することは重要です。

Yōso o rikai suru koto wa jūyō desu

It is important to understand the elements.

• 要素 (yōso) - element
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 理解する (rikai suru) - Understand
• こと (koto) - abstract noun
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 重要 (jūyō) - important
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

証言は真実を語ることが重要です。

Shōgen wa shinjitsu o kataru koto ga jūyō desu

Witness is important to tell the truth.

It is important to talk about the truth in testimony.

• 証言 - Testimony
• は - Topic particle
• 真実 - truth
• を - Direct object particle
• 語る - Speak
• こと - nominalizing noun
• が - Subject particle
• 重要 - Important
• です - polite way of being