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What is the Kanji for 'Important' and 'Need'? | 要

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Important' and 'Need', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Important' and 'Need' is 要.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Important, Need

    Reading

    kunyomi

    i

    かなめ

    kaname

    onyomiよう

    you

    Parts

    Woman

    Example Word

    不要: unnecessary. The Japanese adjectival noun '不要 (ふよう)' means 'unnecessary'. It is used to describe something that is not needed or required. This word is often used in formal or practical contexts, such as in instructions, warnings, or when discussing items or actions that are superfluous. For example: This tool is unnecessary「この道具は不要です」(このどうぐはふようです). Unnecessary items should be removed「不要なものは取り除いてください」(ふようなものはとりのぞいてください). The word can also imply that something is redundant or excessive, depending on the context.

    Radical

    西

    Stroke Count

    9

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    4

    Frequency

    220

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    component

    kanji

    Meaning

    Woman

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of one other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Loins, Waist

Words Using

This kanji is used in 20 words:

    word

    重要

    Meaning

    Important

    word

    必要

    Meaning

    Necessary

    word

    要求

    Meaning

    Demand

    word

    要する

    Meaning

    Require, Summarize

    word

    要素

    Meaning

    Element, Factor

    word

    要る

    Meaning

    Need

    word

    要因

    Meaning

    Factor

    word

    需要

    Meaning

    Demand

    word

    要件

    Meaning

    Requirement

    word

    主要

    Meaning

    Main, Principal

    word

    Meaning

    Essence

    word

    不要

    Meaning

    Unnecessary

    word

    要領

    Meaning

    Essentials

    word

    要するに

    Meaning

    In short

    word

    不必要

    Meaning

    Unnecessary

    word

    要点

    Meaning

    Main point

    word

    要請

    Meaning

    Request

    word

    要項

    Meaning

    Outline, Essentials

    word

    概要

    Meaning

    Summary

    word

    要望

    Meaning

    Request

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 3 kanji contain the part 覀 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Vote, Ballot

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cover, Capsize

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hegemony, Supremacy

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 38 kanji contain the part 女 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Number

    kanji

    Meaning

    Older sister

    kanji

    Meaning

    Younger sister

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cheap, Relax

    kanji

    Meaning

    Begin

    kanji

    Meaning

    Like, Fond

    kanji

    Meaning

    Marriage

    kanji

    Meaning

    Daughter, Girl

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lady

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wife

    kanji

    姿

    Meaning

    Shape, Figure

    kanji

    Meaning

    Surname, Family name

    kanji

    Meaning

    Marry, Bride

    kanji

    婿

    Meaning

    Bridegroom, Groom

    kanji

    Meaning

    Committee

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hinder, Disturb

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cherry

    kanji

    Meaning

    Exquisite, Marvelous

    kanji

    Meaning

    Gentle, Come to terms

    kanji

    Meaning

    Dislike

    kanji

    Meaning

    Might, Intimidate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Pregnant, Swollen

    kanji

    Meaning

    Pregnant, Pregnancy

    kanji

    Meaning

    As, Likeness

    kanji

    Meaning

    Marriage, Marry

    kanji

    Meaning

    Enjoyment, Recreation

    kanji

    Meaning

    Intermediary, Mediator

    kanji

    Meaning

    Princess

    kanji

    Meaning

    Princess, Queen

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lass, Young lady

    kanji

    Meaning

    Legitimate heir, Legitimate wife

    kanji

    Meaning

    Old woman

    kanji

    Meaning

    Irrational, Reckless

    kanji

    Meaning

    Servant, Dude

    kanji

    Meaning

    Princess, Beauty

    kanji

    Meaning

    Envy, Jealous

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bewitched

    kanji

    Meaning

    Envy, Jealous

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 要 mean?

要 means 'Important' and 'Need'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Fourth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.