1.
to cherish; to treasure; to value
To regard someone or something as precious and treat them accordingly. Used for relationships, memories, feelings, and abstract values.
家族を大切にする。
To cherish one's family.
友達との時間を大切にしたい。
I want to treasure my time with friends.
自分の気持ちを大切にしながら、相手の意見も尊重するべきだ。
You should respect the other person's opinion while also valuing your own feelings.
2.
to take good care of; to handle carefully
To treat a physical object or one's own health with care so as not to damage or lose it.
この本は大切にしてね。
Please take good care of this book.
体を大切にしてください。
Please take care of your health.
祖母からもらった指輪を大切にしている。
I treasure the ring I received from my grandmother.
One of the most common and versatile expressions in Japanese. お{体を大切に} or お{体を大切にしてください} is a standard parting phrase meaning "take care of yourself" — used when saying goodbye, especially when someone is unwell or in difficult circumstances.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 人を大切にする: to value people
- 命を大切にする: to value life
- 時間を大切にする: to value time
- 物を大切にする: to take good care of things
- お体を大切に: take care of yourself
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 大事にする: to take care of; to treasure — very similar and largely interchangeable; slightly more casual
- 尊重する: to respect — more formal; focuses on recognizing value or rights
- 愛する: to love — deeper emotional attachment; 大切にする is broader and includes care without romantic love