大切
taisetsu
In Japanese, the phrase 'something is important' is expressed as 大切 (taisetsu).
大切 is used to describe something that has great value or is precious to someone. It can be used to express the importance of both people and objects. If you want to say you cherish something or treat it with care, you can use the verb phrase 大切にする.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between emotional and objective importance.
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, you can use 大切だ (taisetsu da) or simply 大切 to mean 'is important'.
How do you pronounce it?
taisetsu
Did you know?
- The characters in 大切 literally translate to 'great urgency' or 'pressing intensity'.
- Japanese has a concept called もったいない (mottainai), which describes the feeling of regret when something 大切 is wasted. English has no single word that captures this specific blend of importance and waste.
- While 大切 describes emotional value, the word 重要 (jūyō) is used for objective or strategic importance. Calling a person 重要 instead of 大切 can sound cold and clinical, as if they are merely a useful tool.
Examples in context
- このプレゼントは私にとって大切です。This gift is important to me.
- この会議は重要な意味を持っています。This meeting holds significant meaning.
- この問題は今とても大事だ。This issue is very important right now.
- この件はすごく重要なので、早めに対処しましょう。Since this matter is extremely important, let's address it as soon as possible.
- これは私にとって大切なものです。Kore wa watashi ni totte taisetsu na mono desu.This is something important to me.
- 家族はとても大切な存在です。Kazoku wa totemo taisetsu na sonzai desu.Family is a very precious presence.
- 将来のために大切な計画があります。Shourai no tame ni taisetsu na keikaku ga arimasu.I have an important plan for the future.
Example conversation
Yota is giving a gift to Himari.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵、これをどうぞ。Himari, kore o douzo.Himari, here is something for you.
- 陽葵 Himariわあ、ありがとう！大切にするね。Waa, arigatou! Taisetsu ni suru ne.Wow, thank you! I will treasure it.
- 陽太 Yotaそれは僕にとっても大切だったものなんだ。Sore wa boku ni totte mo taisetsu datta mono nan da.That was something important to me too.
- 陽葵 Himariそんなに大切なものをくれてありがとう。Sonna ni taisetsu na mono o kurete arigatou.Thank you for giving me something so precious.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 大切, CC BY-SA 4.0.
