A1 Expression Neutre

とても大事

totemo daiji

Very important

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

Explanation at your level:

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.

Signification

To emphasize that something is of great significance or value.

🌍

Contexte culturel

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'.

Signification

To emphasize that something is of great significance or value.

💡

Use with 'na'

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

Teste-toi

Select the correct phrase for 'Very important'.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : とても大事

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

🎉 Score : /1

Aides visuelles

Questions fréquentes

1 questions

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

Expressions liées

🔄

大切 (taisetsu)

synonym

Cherished/Important

Où l'utiliser

💼

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

Memorize It

Mnemonic

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

Visual Association

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.

Word Web

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

Défi

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

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Muy importante

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

French high

Très important

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

German high

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).

Easily Confused

とても大事 vs 大丈夫 (daijoubu)

Similar sound

Daiji = Important, Daijoubu = Okay.

FAQ (1)

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

C'tait utile ?

Commentaires (0)

Connectez-vous pour Commenter
Pas encore de commentaires. Soyez le premier à partager vos idées !