Japanese word

主要

Pronunciation

Romajishuyō

Meaning

  • na-adjectivemain

Example

これは主要な問題です。ko re wa shu yō na mon dai de su

This is the main issue.

Illustration for 主要 (main)

More examples

この計画では、教育が主要な役割を果たします。ko no kei kaku de wa kyō iku ga shu yō na yaku wari o ha ta shi ma su

In this plan, education plays a major role.

Core concept

It identifies the part that carries the greatest importance or central role in a larger whole.

Common phrases

  • 主要な理由shu yō na ri yū

    main reason

  • 主要な問題shu yō na mon dai

    main problem

  • 主要な役割shu yō na yaku wari

    main role

Similar words

主なomona: Expressing the most important part or item in a group in ordinary usage.
中枢的chūsūteki: Serving as a central point or role within a larger whole.
重要jūyō: Having high importance in a matter or decision.

Definition in Japanese

全体の中で中心となり、特に重要であるさま。zen tai no naka de chū shin to na ri toku ni jū yō de a ru sa ma

Word origin

The word 主要 (shuyō) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 主 (shu, "main") and 要 (yō, "essential").

Usage tips

  • 主要な (shuyōna) often sounds more formal than 主な (omona, "main"), so it appears frequently in news reports, explanations, and official writing.

Other meanings

  • majorna-adjective
  • chiefna-adjective

Opposites

  • 副次的fukujitekisecondaryna-adjective

Word lists with this word