重要(じゅうよう)な

One of the most frequently used na-adjectives in Japanese. Composed of 重(じゅう) (heavy, weighty) + 要(よう) (essential, necessary). Used across all registers from casual conversation to formal documents.

Common collocations

• 重要(じゅうよう)な役割(やくわり): important role
• 重要(じゅうよう)な情報(じょうほう): important information
• 重要(じゅうよう)な問題(もんだい): important issue
• 重要(じゅうよう)な決定(けってい): important decision
• 重要(じゅうよう)文化財(ぶんかざい): important cultural property
• 重要(じゅうよう)人物(じんぶつ): important person, VIP

Similar words

• 大切(たいせつ)な: important, precious — warmer and more personal; emphasizes emotional value
• 大事(だいじ)な: important, valued — similar to 大切(たいせつ) but slightly more casual
• 肝心(かんじん)な: crucial, essential — emphasizes the critical nature of something at a key moment
• 重大(じゅうだい)な: grave, critical — implies greater seriousness or potential consequences than 重要(じゅうよう)