大切

taisetsu

important

家族は大切です。

Family is important.

formal

Extremely valuable or important; precious.

健康は大切です。

Health is precious.

時間を大切に使ってください。

Please use your time wisely.

Often used to emphasize emotional or sentimental value, not just practical importance.

Collocations

大切にするto cherish; to treasure大切な人someone important; loved one

Synonyms

重要大事

Antonyms

無駄軽視

Pro Tip

Common Mistake: 大切 vs 大事

Both 大切 and 大事 mean 'important,' but 大切 often carries a stronger emotional nuance (e.g., 'cherished'). 大事 can also mean 'serious' (e.g., 大事な話).

Word Origin

From 大 (big, great) + 切 (cut, crucial). Originally meant 'urgent' or 'pressing,' but evolved to mean 'precious' or 'important' in modern usage.

Usage Notes

大切 emphasizes emotional or sentimental value rather than practical necessity. It is commonly used in personal relationships, health, and time management contexts.

Word Breakdown

大

big; great

root

切

cut; crucial

root

和英辞典

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