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:

使用人は会社にとって重要な存在です。

Shiyōnin wa kaisha ni totte jūyō na sonzai desu

Employees are an important presence for the company.

The servant is important to the company.

• 使用人 - person who uses or uses something
• 会社 - company
• にとって - for, in relation to
• 重要 - important
• な - Particle indicating adjective
• 存在 - Existence, presence
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

備え付けることは重要です。

Binaetsukeru koto wa juuyou desu

It is important to have prepared.

It's important to be prepared.

• 備え付ける - means "prepare" or "provide" in Japanese.
• こと - it is a particle that indicates an action or event.
• は - it is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "preparing is important."
• 重要 - means "important" in Japanese.
• です - It is a polite way to say "is" in Japanese.

働きは人生の重要な要素です。

Hataraki wa jinsei no juuyou na youso desu

Work is an important element in life.

Work is an important factor in life.

• 働き - work
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 人生 - life
• の - Particle that indicates possession
• 重要な - important
• 要素 - element
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

公務は国民のために行われる重要な仕事です。

Koumu wa kokumin no tame ni okonawareru juuyou na shigoto desu

Public affairs are an important job for people.

• 公務 - public work
• は - Topic particle
• 国民 - citizens of the country
• のために - for the benefit of
• 行われる - completed
• 重要な - important
• 仕事 - work
• です - is

公正な判断をすることが重要です。

Kousei na handan wo suru koto ga juuyou desu

It is important to do fair judgments.

It is important to make a fair decision.

• 公正な - adjective meaning "fair" or "impartial"
• 判断 - noun meaning "judgment" or "decision"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• する - verb meaning "to do" or "to accomplish"
• こと - noun indicating an abstract action or event
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 重要 - Adjective meaning "important"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence
• . - punctuation mark that indicates the end of the sentence

内臓は身体の重要な部分です。

Naizou wa shintai no juuyou na bubun desu

Internal organs are an important part of the body.

Internal organs are important parts of the body.

• 内臓 - internal organs
• は - Topic particle
• 身体 - body
• の - Possession particle
• 重要な - important
• 部分 - part
• です - é (verb to be in the polite form)

再現することは重要です。

Saigen suru koto wa juuyou desu

It is important to reproduce.

• 再現すること - Reproduzir, replicar
• は - Topic particle
• 重要です - is important

出産は女性にとってとても重要な出来事です。

Shussan wa josei ni totte totemo juuyou na dekigoto desu

Childbirth is a very important event for women.

Birth is a very important event for women.

• 出産 - Birth
• 女性 - woman
• にとって - for
• とても - very
• 重要 - important
• な - Particle indicating adjective
• 出来事 - event, happening
• です - verb to be"

分散はデータのばらつきを表す重要な指標です。

Bunsan wa data no baratsuki wo hyōsu suru jūyōna shihyō desu

Distributed is an important indicator for data variation.

• 分散 (bunsan) - variance
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• データ (deeta) - data
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• ばらつき (baratsuki) - dispersion
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 表す (arawasu) - represent
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 指標 (shihyou) - indicator
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

分担することはチームワークの重要な要素です。

Buntan suru koto wa chiimuwaaku no juuyou na youso desu

Sharing is an important factor in teamwork.

• 分担すること - "divide tasks" in Japanese.
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• チームワーク - teamwork
• の - grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
• 重要な - adjective in Japanese that means "important"
• 要素 - noun in Japanese that means "element"
• です - The verb "to be" in Japanese in its polite form.