Translation guide
The English word "precious" covers several distinct meanings: something valuable or cherished, something cute or endearing, and formal or affected behavior. Japanese expresses these with different words and phrases depending on the nuance.
Describing something of great worth, often sentimental or rare, such as a family heirloom, a memory, or limited time.
The most common and natural way to say something is precious in the sense of important and cherished. Used for both tangible and intangible things.
これは祖母からもらった大切な指輪です。
This is a precious ring I received from my grandmother.
家族との時間はとても大切です。
Time with family is very precious.
Emphasizes rarity and high value, often used for opportunities, experiences, or resources. More formal than 大切な.
貴重なご意見をありがとうございます。
Thank you for your precious feedback.
これは貴重な体験でした。
This was a precious experience.
Similar to 大切な but slightly more casual. Often used in spoken Japanese for things you care about deeply.
これは私にとって大事な本です。
This is a precious book to me.
Conveys a sense of something sacred, noble, or deeply precious, often used for life, sacrifices, or abstract ideals. Can sound literary or emotional.
命は尊いものです。
Life is precious.
Expressing that someone or something is so cute it feels precious, often with a warm, affectionate tone.
The standard word for cute. When said with emotion, it carries the feeling of 'precious' in an endearing sense.
この子猫、本当にかわいい！
This kitten is so precious!
Expresses a deep, tender affection, often for someone or something you feel protective of. Closer to 'dear' or 'precious' in an emotional way.
Used after an adjective like かわいい to mean 'so cute I can't stand it', conveying an overwhelming sense of preciousness.
Describing someone who acts in an exaggeratedly proper, delicate, or pretentious manner, often with a negative connotation.
Means 'affected' or 'pretentious'. Used for someone who puts on airs or acts overly refined.
彼女の気取った話し方が嫌いだ。
I dislike her precious way of speaking.
Describes someone who is pompous or makes a big show of being important or refined. Often used for speech or attitude.
彼のもったいぶった態度にはうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with his precious attitude.
Specifically means acting elegant or refined in an affected way. 'Precious' in the sense of overly delicate manners.
彼女の上品ぶった物言いが鼻につく。
Her precious way of talking gets on my nerves.
Referring to valuable materials like gold, silver, or gems.
The standard term for precious metals.
この店は貴金属を買い取っています。
This shop buys precious metals.
Means gem or jewel; often used for precious stones.
If you call a baby 大切な, it means 'important/valuable', not 'cute/precious' in the endearing sense. Use かわいい or 愛おしい instead.
Both mean 'important/precious', but 大切な is slightly more formal and emotional. 大事な is common in casual speech. They are often interchangeable.
寝ている赤ちゃんの顔が愛おしい。
The face of the sleeping baby is precious.
この犬、かわいくてたまらない！
This dog is so precious I can't handle it!
彼女は宝石を集めている。
She collects precious stones.