要

よう

Meanings

1. Noun main point; essential point; important thing
2. Noun, Prenominal necessity; need; requirement

Kanji

• 要 need. Read as ヨウ.

Example sentences

• 彼のいう事は簡にして要を得た。
  What he said was brief and to the point.
• 彼の演説は簡潔で要を得たものだった。
  His speech was brief and to the point.
• 要は母親たちが忙し過ぎるということだ。
  The point is that the mothers are too busy.
• 要は、彼らがあまりに若すぎるということです。
  The point is they're too young.
• あいつ、おでこが広いだけだって言ってるけどさ、要は生え際が後退してるってことだろ。
  That guy said he had a wide, prominent forehead, but in fact, his hairline is receding.

Common phrases

• 要になる
• 要である
• 要を担う
• 要といえる

Words containing 要

• 必要 (ひつよう) necessary
• 概要 (がいよう) outline
• 重要 (じゅうよう) important

And 405 more.

Word lists

• Core 2000
• Core 5000
• Spoken

Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists