A1 Expression Neutral 1 min de lectura

とても大事

totemo daiji

Very important

Practícalo

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use 'totemo daiji' to emphasize that something holds significant value or requires immediate attention in your life.

  • Means: Very important or essential.
  • Used in: Expressing priorities, giving advice, or showing appreciation.
  • Don't confuse: 'Daiji' (important) with 'Daijoubu' (okay/fine).
Very (totemo) + Important (daiji) = High Priority

Explicación a tu nivel:

This phrase means 'very important.' You use it to talk about things you care about, like family or your work. It is easy to use and very helpful for beginners.
It functions as an intensifier for the adjective 'daiji.' It is used to establish priorities in a conversation. You can use it to describe objects, people, or abstract concepts that require attention.
This expression is a staple of Japanese discourse, bridging the gap between casual and formal registers. It is often used to justify actions or decisions by framing them as 'very important' to the speaker's goals or values.
The phrase serves as a pragmatic marker of emphasis. In professional contexts, it helps manage expectations by highlighting critical path items, though it is slightly less formal than 'juuyou.' It effectively conveys the speaker's commitment to a specific task or relationship.
From a sociolinguistic perspective, 'totemo daiji' functions as a hedge against ambiguity. By explicitly labeling an item as 'very important,' the speaker reduces potential friction in collaborative environments, ensuring that the listener understands the hierarchical importance of the information provided.
The phrase encapsulates the Japanese cultural emphasis on 'honne' (true feelings) and 'tatemae' (public facade). By using 'totemo daiji,' one bridges these two, signaling that the subject matter is not merely a social obligation but a genuine priority, thus aligning the speaker's internal values with their external communication strategy.

Significado

To emphasize that something is of great significance or value.

🌍

Contexto cultural

Japanese people often use 'daiji' to show they value a relationship. Saying 'You are important' is a deep compliment. In business, 'daiji' is used to show professional commitment to a task.

💡

Use with 'na'

When using 'totemo daiji' before a noun, always add 'na'. Example: 'totemo daiji na koto'.

💡

Use with 'na'

When using 'totemo daiji' before a noun, always add 'na'. Example: 'totemo daiji na koto'.

Ponte a prueba

Select the correct phrase for 'Very important'.

Which is correct?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: とても大事

'Daiji' means important, 'Daijoubu' means okay, 'Ookii' means big.

🎉 Puntuación: /1

Ayudas visuales

Banco de ejercicios

2 ejercicios
Elige la respuesta correcta Fill Blank

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
Select the correct phrase for 'Very important'. Choose A1

Which is correct?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: とても大事

'Daiji' means important, 'Daijoubu' means okay, 'Ookii' means big.

🎉 Puntuación: /2

Preguntas frecuentes

1 preguntas

Yes, it is very common to say someone is 'totemo daiji'.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

大切 (taisetsu)

synonym

Cherished/Important

Dónde usarla

💼

Work Meeting

Boss: この{報告書|ほうこくしょ}は{とても|とても}{大事|だいじ}です。

Employee: {承知|しょうち}しました。

neutral
💡

Giving Advice

Friend: {睡眠|すいみん}は{とても|とても}{大事|だいじ}だよ。

You: {分|わ}かってるよ！

informal

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'Daiji' as 'Die-G' (the G is for Great). It's a 'Great' thing!

Asociación visual

Imagine holding a fragile, glowing orb. You are clutching it tightly because it is 'totemo daiji'.

Rhyme

Daiji is the key, for you and for me.

Story

Kenji had a small box. He told his friend, 'This is totemo daiji.' Inside was a photo of his grandmother. He kept it safe every single day.

In Other Languages

Similar to 'very important' in English or 'muy importante' in Spanish. It is a universal way to signal priority.

Word Web

大切 (taisetsu)重要 (juuyou)必要 (hitsuyou)優先 (yuusen)価値 (kachi)守る (mamoru)

Desafío

Write down 3 things that are 'totemo daiji' to you in Japanese.

Review in 1 day, 3 days, 7 days.

Pronunciación

Stress Flat pitch accent.

Clear 't' and 'o' sounds.

The 'j' is like the 'j' in 'judge'.

Espectro de formalidad

Formal
これは非常に重要でございます。

これは非常に重要でございます。 (Expressing importance)

Neutral
これはとても大事です。

これはとても大事です。 (Expressing importance)

Informal
これ、すごく大事だよ。

これ、すごく大事だよ。 (Expressing importance)

Jerga
これ、マジ大事。

これ、マジ大事。 (Expressing importance)

Derived from Buddhist terminology for 'great matters'. It evolved into a secular term for anything of high value.

Edo Period:

Dato curioso

The kanji '大事' literally translates to 'Big Matter'.

Notas culturales

Japanese people often use 'daiji' to show they value a relationship. Saying 'You are important' is a deep compliment.

“あなたは{とても|とても}{大事|だいじ}な{人|ひと}です。”

In business, 'daiji' is used to show professional commitment to a task.

“この{仕事|しごと}は{とても|とても}{大事|だいじ}です。”

Inicios de conversación

“

What is one thing that is 'totemo daiji' to you?

Errores comunes

✗

とても大丈夫

✓

とても大事

literal translation
Learners often confuse 'daiji' (important) with 'daijoubu' (okay). They sound similar but mean completely different things.

L1 Interference

0 1

In Other Languages

Spanish Very Similar

Muy importante

Japanese requires the 'na' particle when modifying a noun, whereas Spanish uses 'de' or direct adjective placement.

French Very Similar

Très important

French adjectives usually follow the noun, while 'daiji' can be a predicate or a pre-nominal modifier.

German Very Similar

Sehr wichtig

German word order is more flexible, but the core meaning is a direct mapping.

Japanese self

とても大事

N/A

Arabic moderate

مهم جداً (Muhim jiddan)

The word order is reversed compared to Japanese (Adjective + Intensifier vs Intensifier + Adjective).

Spotted in the Real World

🎬

(1988)

“Family is totemo daiji.”

A scene where the father talks to his daughters.

Fácil de confundir

とても大事 vs 大丈夫 (daijoubu)

Similar sound

Daiji = Important, Daijoubu = Okay.

Preguntas frecuentes (1)

Yes, it is very common to say someone is 'totemo daiji'.

usage contexts

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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