How to say "important" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 大事だいじna-adjectiveEveryday 'important' with a nuance of personal value — something precious that you would handle with care. Also fits critical moments when much is at stake.
- 重要じゅうようna-adjectiveThe default for weighty, consequential importance: problems, decisions, information, or issues whose outcome matters. It states importance plainly and objectively, so it suits news, business, and writing.
- 大切たいせつna-adjectiveClose to 大事 and often interchangeable, but leaning toward 'precious, cherished': people, memories, and things you hold dear. Use it when warmth matters as much as importance.
- na-adjective, nounBorrowed from English 'major', it describes something big-name, mainstream, or widely known — the opposite of マイナー (minor) — rather than simply important. For plain 'important' you normally want 重要 or 大事.
- 大したたいしたpre-noun adjectivalReally means 'considerable' or 'impressive': it evaluates something as remarkable rather than simply calling it important. For plain 'important' it is seldom the right choice; use 大事 or 重要.
For plain 'important', use 重要 for weighty, consequential matters and 大事 or 大切 for what is personally precious; 「メジャー」 means major or well-known, and 「大した」 means considerable or impressive rather than important.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 大事だいじimportant
- 重要じゅうようimportant
- 大切たいせつimportant
- メジャーmajor
- 大したたいしたconsiderable
- 重大じゅうだいserious
- 肝心かんじんessential
- 大おおlarge
- 大だいlarge
- 目抜きめぬきprincipal
- 主おもchief
- 緊要きんようmomentous
- インポータントimportant
- 身分の高いみぶんのたかいimportant
- めぼしいnotable
- 意義深いいぎぶかいsignificant
- グランlarge
- 主なるおもなるmain
- 主なおもなchief
- 主だったおもだったchief
- 枢要すうよう(most) important
- えらいdistinguished
- 大きいおおきいimportant
- 重いおもいimportant (position, responsibility, etc.)
See also
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