重要 (zhòngyào) — important

重要 (zhòngyào)

重要 is an adjective meaning important or significant. It follows the standard adjective pattern: 很重要 (very important), 不重要 (not important), 最重要 (most important). It can also precede a noun as a modifier: 重要的事情 (an important matter).

Meanings

1. [adj] Important; significant — of great value or consequence.
2. [adj] Essential; critical — cannot be overlooked or neglected.

Example Sentences

健康比金钱更重要。 Jiànkāng bǐ jīnqián gèng zhòngyào. Health is more important than money.

这次考试很重要，要好好准备。 Zhè cì kǎoshì hěn zhòngyào, yào hǎohāo zhǔnbèi. This exam is very important; study well for it.

最重要的事是什么？ Zuì zhòngyào de shì shì shénme? What is the most important thing?

他说了一件重要的事。 Tā shuō le yī jiàn zhòngyào de shì. He said something important.

Collocations

Memory Hook

重 means "heavy" and 要 means "want/need" — something 重要 is so heavy with necessity that you really need to pay attention to it.