Translation guide
The English word "priority" refers to something that is more important than other things and should be dealt with first. In Japanese, expressing this concept often involves using nouns like 優先 (ゆうせん) or 優先事項 (ゆうせんじこう), or verbs like 優先する (ゆうせんする). The most natural way to say something is a priority depends on the context, such as whether you are talking about personal priorities, work tasks, or formal policies.
Expressing that a particular task, goal, or concern is the most important and should be addressed before others.
A common noun meaning 'priority' or 'matter of priority'. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts, from casual to formal.
Health is the top priority.
What are the priorities for this project?
A noun meaning 'priority' or 'precedence'. Often used in compounds like 最優先 (top priority) or with the verb する to mean 'prioritize'.
Please make safety your top priority.
It's difficult to prioritize between work and family.
Literally 'priority ranking is high', used to say something has a high priority. Common in business or planning contexts.
This task has a high priority.
Instead of a direct noun, you can express priority by emphasizing importance with adverbs. This is very natural in conversation.
Family is my priority above all else.
First of all, ensure safety. (Safety is the priority.)
Talking about having precedence in movement or order, such as vehicles having the right of way or a person being served first.
Expressing the action of giving priority to something over other things.
The most direct verb meaning 'to prioritize'. Used in both casual and formal settings.
I prioritize family over work.
We prioritized safety and postponed the construction.
Causative form of 優先する, meaning 'to make something a priority' or 'to give priority to'. Slightly more formal.
We should prioritize customer satisfaction.
Means 'to set priorities' or 'to prioritize (multiple items)'. Useful when you need to rank tasks.
Let's prioritize the things we need to do.
In English, we often say 'X is a priority' or 'make X a priority'. In Japanese, using 優先 directly can sound stiff. In casual conversation, it's often more natural to say something like 'Xが一番大事' (X is most important) or 'Xを先にやる' (do X first). Reserve 優先 for more formal or specific contexts like business, traffic rules, or official policies.
優先 (priority/precedence) is the base concept. 優先事項 (priority matter) is a specific item that is a priority. 優先順位 (priority ranking) refers to the order of priorities. Use 優先順位 when you need to rank multiple items.
My top priority is my family.
Natural Japanese often avoids the word 'priority' in personal statements.
We need to set clear priorities.
Safety is our number one priority.
At this intersection, left-turning vehicles have the right of way.
Pedestrians have the right of way.