要点

• Reading: ようてん
• Romaji: youten
• Kanji breakdown: 要 (you) — essential, need; 点 (ten) — point, spot
• Pronunciation: /joː.te.n/

Meaning

Main point; gist; key point. The most important part of an argument or explanation.

A noun for the essential or most important points of a discussion, document, or argument. Commonly used in academic and business contexts. Key expressions: 要点をまとめる (to summarize the key points), 要点を押さえる (to grasp the main points), 要点を絞る (to narrow down to essentials). Useful for study and presentations.

Examples

1. 先生の話の要点をノートにまとめた。 I summarized the key points of the teacher's lecture in my notes.
2. 報告書は要点だけ簡潔に書いてください。 Please write the report concisely, covering only the main points.
3. 要点を押さえた説明でわかりやすかった。 The explanation was easy to understand because it hit all the key points.

Usage Guide

Context: education, presentations, business

Tone: academic

Origin & History

Composed of 要 (you, essential/need) and 点 (ten, point/spot). A Sino-Japanese compound literally meaning 'essential point,' widely used in education and professional communication.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal