重大

• Reading: じゅうだい
• Romaji: juudai
• Kanji breakdown: 重 (juu) — heavy, important; 大 (dai) — big, great
• Pronunciation: /dʑɯː.da.i/

Meaning

Serious; important; significant. Describes matters of great weight or consequence.

A na-adjective used for issues, decisions, or events with major consequences: 重大な決定 (a significant decision), 重大な事故 (a serious accident). Emphasises the gravity and impact of something rather than its emotional weight. More formal than 大事 or 大切.

Examples

1. 会社にとって重大な決定を下す時が来た。 The time has come to make a critical decision for the company.
2. 重大なミスを犯してしまった。 I made a serious mistake.
3. この発見は科学にとって重大な意味を持つ。 This discovery holds significant meaning for science.

Usage Guide

Context: news, business, legal

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 重 (juu, heavy/important) and 大 (dai, big/great). Together, 'heavy and great' — something carrying significant weight and magnitude.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal