Japanese word

大事

Pronunciation

Romajidaiji

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveimportant

Example

これは大事です。ko re wa dai ji de su

This is important.

Illustration for 大事 (important)

More examples

試験の前は、睡眠を取ることが大事です。shi ken no mae wa sui min o to ru ko to ga dai ji de su

Getting enough sleep is important before an exam.

Core concept

Describes something that has high value or importance and therefore deserves attention or care.

Common phrases

  • 大事なことdai ji na ko to

    important thing

  • 大事な人dai ji na hito

    important person

  • 大事な話dai ji na hanashi

    important matter

Similar words

大切taisetsu: Describes something valued highly and treated with care.
重要jūyō: Describes something that has great importance or priority.

Definition in Japanese

物事の価値や必要性が高く、軽く扱えないさま。mono goto no ka chi ya hitsu yō sei ga taka ku karu ku atsuka e na i sa ma

Word origin

大事 (daiji) combines 大 (dai, "great") and 事 (ji, "matter"), forming the idea of a matter of great importance.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 大事にする (daiji ni suru) means to treat something as precious or take good care of it, linking importance with careful treatment.

Other meanings

  • preciousna-adjective
  • crucialna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 大事さdaijisaimportancenoun

Word lists with this word