(きちょう)

きちょうな
na-adjective
precious; valuable; rare
1. precious; valuable; rare
Describes something of great value or importance, whether material or abstract. Often used for things that are irreplaceable or hard to obtain — time, experiences, resources, or cultural artifacts.
貴重(きちょう)体験(たいけん)だった。
It was a valuable experience.
この美術館(びじゅつかん)には貴重(きちょう)絵画(かいが)(おお)い。
This art museum has many precious paintings.
(かぎ)られた貴重(きちょう)時間(じかん)無駄(むだ)にしたくない。
I don't want to waste what little precious time we have.

USAGE:
A versatile adjective used across formal and informal registers. Very commonly applied to abstract concepts like 時間(じかん) (time), 経験(けいけん) (experience), and 意見(いけん) (opinion), as well as tangible items like 資料(しりょう) (documents) and (しな) (items).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 貴重(きちょう)体験(たいけん) (valuable experience)
  • 貴重(きちょう)時間(じかん) (precious time)
  • 貴重(きちょう)資料(しりょう) (valuable documents/materials)
  • 貴重(きちょう)(ひん) (valuables)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 大切(たいせつ)な: important, cherished — emphasizes personal care and emotional attachment
  • 希少(きしょう)な: rare, scarce — focuses specifically on rarity rather than value