切実(せつじつ)

せつじつ
na-adjective
earnest, pressing, acute
1. earnest, pressing, acute, keenly felt
Describes something felt deeply and urgently, or a problem or need that is pressing and real rather than abstract.
切実(せつじつ)な問題(もんだい)だ。
It's a pressing problem.
住民(じゅうみん)の声(こえ)は切実(せつじつ)だった。
The residents' voices were earnest.
少子化(しょうしか)は地方(ちほう)にとって切実(せつじつ)な課題(かだい)であり、早急(さっきゅう)な対策(たいさく)が求(もと)められている。
The declining birthrate is an acute issue for rural areas, and urgent measures are being called for.

Compound of 切(せつ) (to cut, keen) + 実(じつ) (real, actual). Conveys that something is not merely theoretical but is felt as a real, urgent matter.

FORMS:

  • 切実(せつじつ)な + noun (modifier)
  • 切実(せつじつ)に + verb (adverbial: keenly, acutely)
  • 切実(せつじつ)だ (predicate)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 切実(せつじつ)な問題(もんだい) (pressing problem)
  • 切実(せつじつ)な願(ねが)い (earnest wish)
  • 切実(せつじつ)な悩(なや)み (acute worry)
  • 切実(せつじつ)な課題(かだい) (urgent issue)
  • 切実(せつじつ)に感(かん)じる (to feel keenly)
  • 切実(せつじつ)に願(ねが)う (to wish earnestly)

USAGE NOTES:
Often used in news, essays, and formal discussion to emphasize that a concern is real and deeply felt rather than abstract or theoretical. Has a somewhat literary or formal tone.

general
Added 2026.2.18 7:48
11500/11737_setsujitsu