How to say "significant" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 重要じゅうようna-adjectiveCovers 'significant' in the sense of weighty and consequential: a significant role, issue, or difference. It states objective importance — the thing carries real weight or consequence.
- 大切たいせつna-adjectiveCovers 'significant' as something that matters to you personally: a significant person, memory, or possession. The nuance is heartfelt value — something precious to be treated with care — rather than objective weight.
- 重大じゅうだいna-adjective, nounCovers 'significant' in the sense of grave or serious: a significant mistake, decision, or announcement with serious consequences. The nuance is gravity — the stakes are high and often negative.
- 有意義ゆういぎna-adjectiveCovers 'significant' in the sense of meaningful or worthwhile: a significant experience, encounter, or way of spending time. The nuance is that something has value and meaning, not that it is weighty or grave.
- 大したたいしたpre-noun adjectivalCovers 'significant' only loosely, in the sense of considerable or remarkable — 'quite a' or 'no small' thing. It is really about degree and impressiveness, so for weighty importance it is seldom the word you want.
Choose 重要 for weighty, consequential importance, 大切 for what matters personally, 重大 for grave or serious matters, 有意義 for meaningful or worthwhile experiences, and 「大した」 for something considerable or remarkable.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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