zhòngyàoxìng: 重要性 - Importance, Significance

• Keywords: 重要性, zhongyaoxing, Chinese for importance, significance in Chinese, how to say importance in Mandarin, 重要性 vs 重要, Chinese grammar, HSK 4 vocabulary, Chinese nouns
• Summary: Learn the Chinese word for “importance” or “significance,” 重要性 (zhòngyàoxìng). This essential HSK 4 noun is formed by adding the suffix -性 (-xìng) to the adjective “important” (重要). This page breaks down its characters, cultural context, and practical usage, clearly explaining the crucial difference between the adjective “重要” (important) and the noun “重要性” (importance) with numerous example sentences.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhòngyàoxìng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: The state, quality, or fact of being important; significance.
• In a Nutshell: 重要性 (zhòngyàoxìng) is the direct noun equivalent of “importance” in English. While the adjective 重要 (zhòngyào) describes something *as* important (e.g., “an important meeting”), 重要性 (zhòngyàoxìng) is used to talk about the *concept* of importance itself (e.g., “the importance of the meeting”). Think of the suffix “-性 (-xìng)” as being similar to adding “-ness,” “-ity,” or “-hood” in English to turn an adjective into a noun.

• 重 (zhòng): This character originally depicted a person carrying a heavy object. Its core meaning is “heavy” or “weighty.” In a metaphorical sense, it means “serious” or “significant.”
• 要 (yào): This character means “to want,” “to need,” or “essential.” Something that is needed is inherently important.
• 性 (xìng): A very common suffix that converts an adjective into a noun denoting a property, quality, or nature. It's like adding “-ness” or “-ity” in English (e.g., 可能性 kěnéngxìng - possibility; 积极性 jījíxìng - initiative/positivity).

When combined, 重 (zhòng) “weighty” and 要 (yào) “essential” create the adjective 重要 (zhòngyào), “important.” Adding 性 (xìng) “nature/quality” transforms it into the noun 重要性 (zhòngyàoxìng), literally the “quality of being weighty and essential”—or simply, “importance.”

While the word 重要性 is a standard linguistic term, *what* is culturally considered to have 重要性 in China can differ from the West. Traditionally, Chinese culture places immense 重要性 on concepts that support group harmony and long-term stability. For example, the 家庭的重要性 (jiātíng de zhòngyàoxìng), the importance of family, is paramount. This extends beyond the nuclear family to include deep respect for elders and a sense of collective responsibility. Similarly, the 教育的重要性 (jiàoyù de zhòngyàoxìng), the importance of education, is deeply ingrained, seen not just as a path to personal success but as a way to bring honor to the family and contribute to society. This contrasts with some Western cultures that might place a higher relative 重要性 on individual expression and personal achievement, separate from the family or collective. Therefore, while the word translates directly, the cultural priorities it is most often attached to can reveal underlying societal values.

重要性 is most often used in slightly more formal, written, or analytical contexts. You'll frequently encounter it in news reports, academic papers, business presentations, and serious discussions. In casual conversation, people might simply use the adjective 重要 (zhòngyào).

• In Business and Academia: It's used to analyze the significance of a strategy, the importance of a discovery, or the weight of a particular factor. (e.g., “分析这个项目的重要性” - Analyze this project's importance.)
• In Formal Speeches: Leaders and teachers often use this word to stress a point. (e.g., “今天我想谈谈团队合作的重要性” - Today I want to talk about the importance of teamwork.)
• In Written Language: It is very common in articles and reports to discuss the significance of events or policies.

Its connotation is neutral; it is an objective term used to evaluate the weight of a subject.

• Example 1:
  • 老师在课上反复强调了环境保护的重要性。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī zài kè shàng fǎnfù qiángdiàole huánjìng bǎohù de zhòngyàoxìng.
  • English: The teacher repeatedly emphasized the importance of environmental protection in class.
  • Analysis: This is a classic structure. The verb 强调 (qiángdiào), “to emphasize,” is very frequently paired with 重要性.
• Example 2:
  • 很多人没有意识到睡眠充足的重要性。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō rén méiyǒu yìshidào shuìmián chōngzú de zhòngyàoxìng.
  • English: Many people don't realize the importance of getting enough sleep.
  • Analysis: The verb 意识到 (yìshidào), “to realize” or “to be aware of,” is also commonly used with 重要性.
• Example 3:
  • 这次会议的重要性不言而喻。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì huìyì de zhòngyàoxìng bùyán'éryù.
  • English: The importance of this meeting is self-evident.
  • Analysis: 不言而喻 (bùyán'éryù) is a useful chengyu (idiom) meaning “it goes without saying” or “self-evident.”
• Example 4:
  • 我们必须根据问题的重要性来安排优先顺序。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū gēnjù wèntí de zhòngyàoxìng lái ānpái yōuxiān shùnxù.
  • English: We must arrange our priorities according to the importance of the issues.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows its use in a practical, decision-making context.
• Example 5:
  • 他的研究充分证明了早期教育的重要性。
  • Pinyin: Tā de yánjiū chōngfèn zhèngmíngle zǎoqī jiàoyù de zhòngyàoxìng.
  • English: His research fully demonstrated the importance of early education.
  • Analysis: Used here in a formal, academic context with the verb 证明 (zhèngmíng), “to prove.”
• Example 6:
  • 对于一个公司来说，品牌形象的重要性怎么强调都不过分。
  • Pinyin: Duìyú yī ge gōngsī lái shuō, pǐnpái xíngxiàng de zhòngyàoxìng zěnme qiángdiào dōu bùguòfèn.
  • English: For a company, the importance of brand image cannot be overemphasized.
  • Analysis: The structure “怎么…都不过分 (zěnme… dōu bùguòfèn)” is a great pattern meaning “cannot be overstated/overdone.”
• Example 7:
  • 在中国文化中，家庭的重要性是第一位的。
  • Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó wénhuà zhōng, jiātíng de zhòngyàoxìng shì dì-yī wèi de.
  • English: In Chinese culture, the importance of family is number one.
  • Analysis: This example directly ties the word to a cultural value.
• Example 8:
  • 这份报告低估了新技术对市场产生的重要性。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn bàogào dīgūle xīn jìshù duì shìchǎng chǎnshēng de zhòngyàoxìng.
  • English: This report underestimated the importance of the new technology's impact on the market.
  • Analysis: Shows the use of 低估 (dīgū), “to underestimate,” in a business context.
• Example 9:
  • 这次选举的重要性在于它将决定国家未来的方向。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì xuǎnjǔ de zhòngyàoxìng zàiyú tā jiāng juédìng guójiā wèilái de fāngxiàng.
  • English: The importance of this election lies in the fact that it will decide the future direction of the country.
  • Analysis: The phrase 在于 (zàiyú) means “lies in” or “consists in,” and is often used to explain *why* something has 重要性.
• Example 10:
  • 你应该让你孩子明白诚实的重要性。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yīnggāi ràng nǐ háizi míngbai chéngshí de zhòngyàoxìng.
  • English: You should make your child understand the importance of honesty.
  • Analysis: A common usage in the context of teaching values or morals.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing the noun 重要性 (zhòngyàoxìng) with the adjective 重要 (zhòngyào). Rule of Thumb: If you can say “important” in English, use 重要. If you have to say “the importance of…”, use 重要性.

• Incorrect Usage: 这件事很重要性。 (Zhè jiàn shì hěn zhòngyàoxìng.)
  • Why it's wrong: The structure “很 (hěn) + adjective” requires an adjective. 重要性 is a noun. It's like saying “This matter is very importance” in English.
  • Correct: 这件事很重要。 (Zhè jiàn shì hěn zhòngyào.) This matter is very important. * Incorrect Usage: 我知道这件事的重要。 (Wǒ zhīdào zhè jiàn shì de zhòngyào.) * Why it's wrong: While not completely ungrammatical, it's very unnatural. The particle “的 (de)” indicates possession or modification, and it needs to be followed by a noun. You know “the importance (noun) of this matter.” * Correct: 我知道这件事的重要性。 (Wǒ zhīdào zhè jiàn shì de zhòngyàoxìng.) I know the importance of this matter.

Think of it this way:

• …很/非常 重要 (…hěn/fēicháng zhòngyào) = is very important (adjective)
• …的 重要性 (…de zhòngyàoxìng) = the importance of… (noun)

• 重要 (zhòngyào) - The adjective form, meaning “important.” This is the root word of 重要性.
• 主要 (zhǔyào) - Adjective meaning “main,” “principal,” or “primary.” It points to the biggest part of a whole, whereas 重要 refers to its significance.
• 关键 (guānjiàn) - Noun/Adjective meaning “key,” “crucial,” or “pivotal.” This is stronger than 重要; it implies that something is a deciding point on which everything else depends.
• 必要性 (bìyàoxìng) - Noun meaning “necessity.” Something can be important but not strictly necessary, and vice versa. This term answers the question “Is it required?”.
• 意义 (yìyì) - Noun meaning “meaning,” “sense,” or “significance.” Often used to discuss a deeper, more profound, or philosophical significance, while 重要性 can be more about practical impact or weight.
• 价值 (jiàzhí) - Noun meaning “value” or “worth.” It can be a synonym for importance in some contexts (e.g., the value of education) but also refers specifically to monetary or inherent worth.
• 次要 (cìyào) - The direct antonym, an adjective meaning “secondary” or “less important.”
• 强调 (qiángdiào) - A verb meaning “to emphasize” or “to stress.” It is very commonly used with the object 重要性.
• 核心 (héxīn) - Noun meaning “core” or “nucleus.” Refers to the absolute central part of something, which is by nature of high importance.