優先 — meaning in English: priority

yūsen · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for priority

雰囲気

fun'iki

コマンド

komando

トイレ

toire

アドバイス

adobaisu

優先

yūsen

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use 優先 (yūsen) in professional settings, such as when discussing project deadlines or prioritizing tasks in meetings. You might hear it in a school environment when teachers emphasize the importance of prioritizing study materials for exams.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is プライオリティ (puraoriti), which is a loanword from English and tends to be used in more casual contexts. 優先 (yūsen) carries a more formal tone and is appropriate for written communication or serious discussions.

Culture

The word 優先 (yūsen) is derived from the kanji 優, meaning 'superior' or 'gentle', and 先, meaning 'before' or 'ahead'. This illustrates the cultural value placed on hierarchy and organization in Japanese society, where knowing what should come first can significantly impact interpersonal relationships and efficiency.

FAQ

Q.What does 優先 mean in English?

優先 (yūsen) translates to 'priority' in English, indicating something that takes precedence over other matters.

Q.How do you use 優先 in a sentence?

You can use 優先 in sentences like 'このプロジェクトは優先です' (kono purojekuto wa yūsen desu), meaning 'This project is a priority.'

Q.Are there any common mistakes with 優先?

A common mistake is to confuse 優先 (yūsen) with 重要 (jūyō), which means 'important.' While both words signify significance, 優先 specifically relates to prioritizing over other tasks.

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