How to say "priority" in Japanese

• 優先ゆうせんJLPT N1approx.Common
  suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveThe general word for priority as precedence: giving one thing preference over others or dealing with it first. This is typically the word you want for everyday 'priority'.
  この任務にんむはすべての任務にんむに優先ゆうせんする。↗

  This duty has priority over all others.
• 優先権ゆうせんけんCommon
  nounPriority in the sense of a preferential right: when being first is a right or entitlement one holds, rather than a mere order of preference.
  獲得かくとくした優先権ゆうせんけんを無駄むだにしないために、そのまま切きらずにお待まちください。↗

  Please hold the line so as not to lose your place in the queue.
• 重点じゅうてんJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounIts core sense is 'important point' or 'emphasis'. It matches 'priority' when that means the main points of focus — what one treats as most important — not precedence or rights.
  このショーではロボットに重点じゅうてんがおかれている。↗

  In this show, the accent is on robots.
• 軸足じくあしCommon
  nounA figurative word, literally the pivot foot: the point on which one's emphasis or focus rests. Suits 'priority' when talking about where the weight of one's efforts or stance lies.
• ウェイトCommon
  nounThe loanword 'weight': relative importance or emphasis given to something, close to 重点 in meaning. As 'priority' it is about how much importance is attached, not about being dealt with first.

Use 優先 for priority as precedence or preference in general, 優先権 when it is a formal right, and 重点, 軸足 or 「ウェイト」 when 'priority' really means emphasis, focus or relative importance.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 優先ゆうせんpreference
• 優先権ゆうせんけんpriority
• 重点じゅうてんimportant point
• プライオリティpriority
• 優先順位ゆうせんじゅんいpriority
• 特待とくたいspecial treatment
• 重要度じゅうようどimportance
• 軸足じくあしemphasis
• ウェイトimportance