Japanese word

必要

Pronunciation

Romajihitsuyō

Meaning

  • na-adjectivenecessary

Example

これは必要です。ko re wa hitsu yō de su

This is necessary.

Illustration for 必要 (necessary)

More examples

水は必要です。mizu wa hitsu yō de su

Water is necessary.

申請には身分証明書が必要です。shin sei ni wa mi bun shō mei sho ga hitsu yō de su

An identification document is necessary for the application.

Core concept

Expresses that something is required for a purpose or situation, so leaving it out prevents the intended result.

Common phrases

  • 必要があるhitsu yō ga a ru

    be necessary

  • 必要になるhitsu yō ni na ru

    become necessary

  • 必要なものhitsu yō na mo no

    necessary thing

  • 必要がなくなるhitsu yō ga na ku na ru

    become unnecessary

Similar words

必須hissu: Describes something that a rule or condition requires.
不可欠fukaketsu: Describes something essential for a purpose or activity.

Definition in Japanese

ある目的や状況のために、欠かすことができないさま。a ru moku teki ya jō kyō no ta me ni ka ka su ko to ga de ki na i sa ma

Word origin

As a Sino-Japanese compound, 必要 (hitsuyō) combines 必 (hitsu, "certainly") and 要 (yō, "need" or "important point") to mean something that cannot be left out.

Usage tips

  • In beginner conversation, 必要です (hitsuyō desu) commonly states that something is needed, while 必要ありません (hitsuyō arimasen) states that it is not needed.

Other meanings

  • essentialna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word