主要 (zhǔyào) — main / primary / major

HSK 3 | adjective / adverb | the most important or primary aspect

主要 (zhǔyào)

Describes something as the most important, primary, or dominant element in a group or situation.

Meanings

  1. [adjective] Main, primary, major, principal.
  2. [adverb] Mainly, primarily, chiefly.

Example Sentences

这本书的主要内容是什么? Zhè běn shū de zhǔyào nèiróng shì shénme? What is the main content of this book?

她主要负责销售工作。 Tā zhǔyào fùzé xiāoshòu gōngzuò. She is mainly responsible for sales work.

这里的主要交通工具是自行车。 Zhèlǐ de zhǔyào jiāotōng gōngjù shì zìxíngchē. The main mode of transportation here is the bicycle.

他学习中文的主要原因是工作需要。 Tā xuéxí zhōngwén de zhǔyào yuányīn shì gōngzuò xūyào. The main reason he studies Chinese is work requirements.

Collocations

Collocation Meaning
主要原因 main reason
主要内容 main content
主要工作 primary job/task
主要问题 main problem
主要特点 main characteristic

Memory Hook

主 (primary/master) + 要 (important/want) — the thing that is most wanted by the master is the main point.