Kanji 要 need, main point, essence Don't confuse with 要 (よう ) means 'necessity' or 'main point' and is pronounced the same as 用 , but the two are unrelated in meaning and written with different kanji.
要 read かなめ means a pivot or crucial cornerstone (from the pin of a folding fan), while the same kanji read よう means 'necessity' or 'the essential point' and is used as a noun/adjectival noun like 要な事項 .
Word family· 90 necessary; needed; essential · necessity; need; requirement
important; essential; significant
component; factor; element · element (computing); member (data structure)
demand; request; requirement
unnecessary; unneeded; not required
Show 25 more Show fewer demand; need · demand
request; demand; appeal · axiom
main; principal; major; chief
main cause; primary factor
demand; request; strong desire
outline; summary; overview
need; require; take
important matter; pressing business · requirement; necessary condition
coercion; compulsion; forcing someone to do something
personnel; required staff; necessary hands
in short; the point is; basically
fort; stronghold; fortification
point; gist; essentials · knack; trick; the ropes
summary; digest; abstract
required; needed; necessary
main point; gist; key point
important person; VIP; key figure
main point; gist; summary
Buddhist memorial service
important points; gist; list of requirements
strategic point; key position · crucial point; essentials; main point
outline; guidelines; main points
important post; key position; high office
essential; vital; crucial
strategic point; key position; important location
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Etymology The kanji 要 originally depicts a woman with hands on her waist, symbolizing something essential or pivotal. The reading よう is the on'yomi, commonly used in Sino-Japanese compounds.
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