Meaning
An experience that is significant and provides learning or growth.
Cultural Background
The phrase is often used in 'O-rei' (thank you) culture. Even if an experience was difficult or stressful, Japanese people will call it 'precious' to show they haven't wasted the opportunity. In job hunting (Shuukatsu), this phrase is a 'magic word.' It signals that the candidate is capable of self-reflection and learning from any environment. Japanese schools often have 'Taiken Gakushu' (experiential learning) days where students go to farms or factories. This phrase is taught early as the standard way to summarize these trips. On platforms like Instagram, users use this phrase to add a layer of 'meaning' to their travel photos, moving beyond just 'fun' to 'valuable.'
The Interview Closer
End your interview answers with '...{非常|ひじょう}に{貴重|きちょう}な{体験|たいけん}となりました' to leave a strong impression of professional maturity.
Don't Overuse
If you call every little thing a 'precious experience,' you will sound insincere or like you are exaggerating.
Meaning
An experience that is significant and provides learning or growth.
The Interview Closer
End your interview answers with '...{非常|ひじょう}に{貴重|きちょう}な{体験|たいけん}となりました' to leave a strong impression of professional maturity.
Don't Overuse
If you call every little thing a 'precious experience,' you will sound insincere or like you are exaggerating.
Humility is Key
Using this phrase often implies that you were 'given' the opportunity by others, aligning with Japanese social harmony.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct particle.
{貴重|きちょう}____{体験|たいけん}をしました。
Kichou is a na-adjective, so it needs 'na' to modify the noun 'taiken'.
Which situation is MOST appropriate for using '{貴重|きちょう}な{体験|たいけん}'?
Choose the best context:
Volunteering is a significant, hands-on activity that provides growth and is relatively rare.
Complete the dialogue with the most polite form.
A: インターンシップはどうでしたか？ B: はい、とても________________。
In a formal interview context, using the humble 'sasete itadakimashita' is the most professional.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercises{貴重|きちょう}____{体験|たいけん}をしました。
Kichou is a na-adjective, so it needs 'na' to modify the noun 'taiken'.
Choose the best context:
Volunteering is a significant, hands-on activity that provides growth and is relatively rare.
A: インターンシップはどうでしたか？ B: はい、とても________________。
In a formal interview context, using the humble 'sasete itadakimashita' is the most professional.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes, if you learned something from it. It's a common way to put a positive spin on a difficult situation.
Yes, 'Keiken' is better for long-term skills, while 'Taiken' is better for a specific project or event.
A little bit. With friends, you might just say 'Sugoku yokatta' (It was really good), but 'Kichou na taiken' works if you're being serious.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'Mudana jikan' (wasted time) is the conceptual opposite.
Related Phrases
{有意義|ゆういぎ}な{時間|じかん}
similarMeaningful time
{得難|えがた}い{経験|けいけん}
specialized formA hard-to-come-by experience
{一生|いっしょう}の{思|おも}い{出|で}
similarA lifelong memory
{実地|じっち}での{経験|けいけん}
similarHands-on experience
