Translation guide
Expressing that something is important in Japanese involves choosing the right adjective or phrase based on nuance, formality, and whether you're describing objective significance, personal value, or necessity.
To say that something is important in a broad, neutral sense.
The most common and versatile word for 'important', often implying personal value or emotional significance. Can be used for both things and people.
Family is very important.
Health is the most important thing.
More formal and objective than 大切. Often used for matters of public concern, business, or serious issues.
This is an important issue.
I lost an important document.
Similar to 大切 but slightly more casual. Often used in spoken Japanese and can also mean 'precious' or 'valuable'.
Friends are important.
This book is important to me.
To emphasize that something is not just important but absolutely necessary or crucial.
Means 'indispensable' or 'essential'. Stronger than 重要. Often used in formal or technical contexts.
Water is essential for life.
Means 'required' or 'mandatory'. Often used in contexts like requirements, qualifications, or system specifications.
To express that something matters or makes a difference, often in a more abstract or emotional sense.
The formal written form of 'is important'. Used in essays, reports, and formal speech.
Education is important for society.
Literally 'has meaning', used to say something is meaningful or significant.
This work is important (has meaning).
A casual way to say 'it's an important thing'. Often used in conversation.
To express that something or someone is personally important or precious to a person.
大切 (taisetsu) is the most common and carries emotional weight. 重要 (jūyō) is formal and objective, used for serious matters. 大事 (daiji) is similar to 大切 but more casual and often used in speech. For 'important to me', 大切 is preferred.
Using 重要 in everyday conversation can sound stiff or overly formal. Stick to 大切 or 大事 unless the context is clearly formal or technical.
This element is crucial for success.
A common phrase meaning 'cannot do without' or 'indispensable'. Slightly less formal than 不可欠.
He is an indispensable member of the team.
この科目は必須です。
This subject is required.
Keeping promises is important.
This issue is important for the company.