要る

• Reading: いる
• Romaji: iru
• Kanji breakdown: 要 (yō/i) — need, essential; originally depicted the waist as the body's core
• Pronunciation: /i.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To be needed; to be necessary; to be required. Expresses that something is essential.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb. Often written in hiragana as いる, but the kanji 要る distinguishes it from 居る (iru, to exist). Takes が to mark what is needed. Very common in negative form: 要らない (not needed). Not to be confused with the existence verb いる or the auxiliary verb ている.

Examples

1. この仕事にはパソコンが要ります。 A computer is needed for this job.
2. お金はいくら要りますか。 How much money do you need?
3. そのレシートはもう要りません。 I don't need that receipt anymore.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, shopping, work

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 要 originally depicted a woman (女) at the waist, representing the essential, central part of the body. The meaning extended to 'essential' and 'necessary.'

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal