1.
essential; crucial; most important; vital
Describes something that is the most important or essential point in a given situation. Often used to emphasize what really matters.
肝心なのは健康だ。
What matters most is health.
肝心なところで失敗してしまった。
I failed at the crucial moment.
肝心な書類を家に忘れてきてしまった。
I accidentally left the important documents at home.
Describes what is most essential or crucial in a situation. Often used to highlight the key point that should not be overlooked or forgotten.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 肝心なこと: the essential thing
- 肝心なところ: the crucial point/moment
- 肝心な問題: the key issue
- 肝心の時に: at the critical moment
USAGE:
Used as a na-adjective modifying nouns with な. The form 肝心の is also very common, especially in the pattern 肝心の～が... where the crucial thing is the topic of the sentence.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 大切: important — general importance, often emotional
- 重要: important — formal, objective importance
- 肝心: crucial — emphasizes the single most critical point in context
ETYMOLOGY:
Originally written 肝腎, combining 肝 (liver) and 腎 (kidney) — the two organs considered most vital in traditional Chinese medicine. The modern spelling 肝心 replaces 腎 with 心 (heart).