Japanese word

所要

Pronunciation

Romajishoyō

Meaning

  • nounnecessary

Example

所要の書類をそろえます。sho yō no sho rui o so ro e ma su

I prepare the necessary documents.

Illustration for 所要 (necessary)

More examples

作業の所要時間は三時間です。sa gyō no sho yō ji kan wa san ji kan de su

The required time for the task is three hours.

Core concept

Describes something that a purpose or task calls for as necessary, not simply as helpful or desirable.

Common phrases

  • 所要時間sho yō ji kan

    required time

  • 所要の書類sho yō no sho rui

    required documents

Similar words

必要hitsuyō: The state of being needed for a purpose or task.
入用nyūyō: The amount or kind of something needed for a purpose, often in formal use.

Definition in Japanese

目的を果たすために必要とされること。moku teki o ha ta su ta me ni hitsu yō to sa re ru ko to

Word origin

所要 (shoyō) combines 所 (sho, "place or matter") and 要 (yō, "need"), forming a Sino-Japanese word for what a situation requires.

Usage tips

  • In travel information, 所要時間 (shoyōjikan) is a fixed formal label for a journey's duration, so it describes how long the journey takes rather than whether the journey is necessary.

Opposites

Word lists with this word