1.
useful; handy; convenient
Describing something that is very useful and relied upon frequently in daily life. Used as a na-adjective or as a suru verb meaning to find useful and use regularly.
このアプリは重宝している。
I find this app very useful.
折りたたみ傘は持ち運びに重宝だ。
A folding umbrella is handy to carry around.
冷凍食品は忙しい日に重宝するので、いつも冷凍庫に入れてある。
Frozen foods come in handy on busy days, so I always keep some in the freezer.
2.
valued item; treasure
A valuable or prized possession, especially one passed down or of historical significance. A more literary or archaic usage.
家に伝わる重宝を大切に保管する。
To carefully store a family heirloom.
殿様は家来に重宝を授けた。
The lord bestowed a treasure upon his retainer.
この刀は代々藩主に受け継がれてきた重宝である。
This sword is a treasured item that has been passed down through generations of feudal lords.
重宝 has two distinct uses: a common everyday meaning (useful/handy) and a more literary meaning (valued treasure).
USAGE FORMS:
- 重宝する (to find useful, to value) — suru verb
- 重宝な (useful, handy) — na-adjective
- 重宝している (I rely on it regularly) — ている form
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 重宝する (find useful, use regularly)
- 重宝な道具 (a handy tool)
- 重宝がられる (to be valued by others)
In the everyday sense, 重宝している (in the ている form) is the most natural pattern, expressing that one regularly relies on something. Note the reading is ちょうほう, not じゅうほう.