Japanese · Adjectives
大切
taisetsu
Important / Precious / Dear
Intermediateadjective
Definition
A na-adjective conveying that something is important, precious, or must be cherished. Commonly used in expressions of personal values and relationships.
Example
家族はとても大切な存在です。
Family is a very important and precious presence.
Etymology
'大切' (taisetsu) combines '大' (dai), meaning big or important, and '切' (setsu), meaning precious or valuable. Historically, it expresses what is deemed significant or cherished.
How & Where It’s Used
'大切' is used in both formal and informal contexts to emphasize the importance of objects or relationships, widely understood across Japan.
Literary Heritage
The term appears in various literary works underscoring moral principles or personal values.