主要 (zhǔyào)

主要 points to the most important or central part of something, distinguishing it from secondary elements.

Meanings

[adjective] Main; primary; major; principal.

Example Sentences

这是我们主要的问题。 Zhè shì wǒmen zhǔyào de wèntí. This is our main problem.

他的主要工作是教书。 Tā de zhǔyào gōngzuò shì jiāo shū. His main job is teaching.

主要原因是缺乏经验。 Zhǔyào yuányīn shì quēfá jīngyàn. The main reason is a lack of experience.

这本书主要介绍中国历史。 Zhè běn shū zhǔyào jièshào Zhōngguó lìshǐ. This book mainly introduces Chinese history.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
主要原因	main reason
主要内容	main content
主要目的	main purpose
主要特点	main characteristic
起主要作用	to play the main role

Usage Notes

主要 can appear before a noun as an attributive adjective ("主要问题") or before a verb as an adverb ("主要介绍"). As an adverb it means "mainly/primarily." It is more formal than 最重要的 and is very common in written and spoken Chinese.

Memory Hook

主 means "master/host" and 要 means "want/important" — the master wants the most important thing, so it is the primary one.