Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 主要 | zhǔyào |
| 首要 | shǒuyào |
| 重要 | zhòngyào |
In Chinese, these terms are used to describe something that is chief, most important or principal in extent. When using 主要 as an adjective to modify a noun, it is very common to add the particle 的 after it, such as in 主要的 (main/principal).
What does it mean word for word?
The word 主要 is composed of two parts: 主 (zhǔ), meaning 'owner' or 'master' and 要 (yào), meaning 'essential' or 'key'.
Which one should you use?
While these words overlap, they have distinct nuances. 主要 is the most common way to say 'main' or 'principal' when describing the most important part of a group or a set of issues. In contrast, 重要 means 'important' (having significance). A thing can be important without necessarily being the 'main' one. Finally, 首要 translates to 'primary' or 'first and foremost' and is used to emphasize priority or the very first thing that must be addressed.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
zhǔyào
Did you know?
- The character 要 in the word 主要 can change its pronunciation to 'yāo' when it refers to the 'waist' of a person, a complete shift in sound and meaning from its role in 'essential'.
- The character 主 in 主要 also functions as a noun meaning 'host', which is why the phrase for 'the host of a party' shares the same root as the word for 'main'.
- The term 首要 uses the character 首, which is the same word used for the 'head' of a human body, to indicate that a task is the 'head' of all other concerns.
Examples in context
- 主要問題是什麼時候開始。When to start is the main problem.This sentence uses 主要 to identify the main problem.Tatoeba #5978321 by verdastelo9604, translation #65999 by CK
- 主要的问题是汤姆的感受如何。The main question is how does Tom feel.This sentence uses 主要 to describe the main question.Tatoeba #8574680 by slo_oth, translation #8569540 by CK
- 条件状语从句包含四种主要类型。There are four main types of conditional clauses.This sentence uses 主要 to categorize the main types of conditional clauses.Tatoeba #14042772 by KUI, translation #14042385 by Ergulis
- 这是我们公司的 主要 产品。This is the main product of our company.
- 这支球队的 主力 选手都非常出色。The main players of this team are all very outstanding.
- 这个故事的 核心 是友谊和勇气。The main theme of this story is friendship and bravery.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rain'ity and Zhiqiang are discussing a project at a cafe.
- 雨婷 Yuting项目的核心是什么？Xiàngmù de héxīn shì shénme?What is the core of the project?
- 志强 Zhiqiang客户的主要要求是提高效率。Kèhù de zhǔyào yāoqiú shì tígāo xiàolǜ.The client's main requirement is to improve efficiency.
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，你觉得这很难吗？Zhìqiáng, nǐ juéde zhè hěn nán ma?Zhiqiang, do you think this is difficult?
- 志强 Zhiqiang只要抓住了主要问题，就不难。Zhǐyào zhuā zhùle zhǔyào wèntí, jiù bù nán.As long as we grasp the main problem, it won't be hard.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “main” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
