Translation guide
The English phrase 'most important' is used to indicate the highest priority, significance, or value. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through adjectives, adverbs, and set phrases that emphasize supremacy or primacy.
Describing something as the single most important thing, person, or factor.
Standard and versatile phrase meaning 'most important'. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
健康が最も重要なことです。
Health is the most important thing.
The most important point is to be punctual.
Common in everyday conversation. '一番' means 'number one' and '大切' means 'important/precious'.
家族が一番大切です。
Family is the most important.
Literally 'more important than anything'. Emphasizes that nothing else compares.
安全は何よりも重要です。
Safety is the most important thing above all.
Means 'top priority'. Often used in business or formal contexts.
このプロジェクトは最優先の課題です。
This project is the most important task.
Introducing the most significant point in a discussion.
Used to start a sentence meaning 'most importantly' or 'the most important thing is'.
最も重要なのは、諦めないことです。
Most importantly, don't give up.
Adverbial phrase meaning 'above all' or 'most importantly'.
何よりも、健康が第一です。
Most importantly, health comes first.
Referring to the top entity in a hierarchy.
Formal term for 'the most important person', often used in news or business.
彼はこの事件の最重要人物だ。
He is the most important person in this case.
Literally 'leading role', can mean the most important person in a situation.
今日の会議では彼が主役だ。
He is the most important person in today's meeting.
重要 (じゅうよう) is more formal and objective, often used for matters of significance or consequence. 大切 (たいせつ) is more emotional and subjective, implying personal value or preciousness. For 'most important', 最も重要な is neutral/formal, while 一番大切な is warmer and more personal.
この書類は重要です。
This document is important.
この写真は私にとって大切です。
This photo is important to me.