主要

• Pinyin: zhǔ yào
• Hanzi breakdown: 主 = a candle flame on a stand, meaning 'main'; 要 = 覀 (cover) + 女 (woman), meaning 'important'

Meaning

Main; primary; major. The most important or principal element among several.

A very common adjective used to identify the most important aspect of something. Can modify nouns (主要原因, main reason) or be used as an adverb (主要是..., mainly...). Opposite is 次要 (secondary).

Examples

1. 这次考试的主要内容是语法。 The main content of this exam is grammar.
2. 他不来的主要原因是太忙了。 The main reason he's not coming is that he's too busy.
3. 我们主要讨论了这个问题。 We mainly discussed this issue.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, work

Tone: informational

Do Say

• 主要问题是什么？(What is the main problem?)
• 她主要负责这个项目。(She is mainly in charge of this project.)

Don't Say

• 这个很主要。(Don't use 主要 as a predicate with 很 — say 这个很重要 instead. 主要 is typically used as an attributive modifier.)

Origin & History

Compound of 主 (main/primary) and 要 (important/essential), reinforcing the meaning of 'principal.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal