Chinese–EnglishWith examples

首要

shǒu yào · shou yao

Same in simplified and traditional Chinese

HSK 7–9Old HSK 6

Meaning

CC-CEDICT
  1. the most important
  2. of chief importance
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In a conversation

0:21 cartoon

The first thing to do

  1. Liangliang

    灯灯(dēngdēng)，今天(jīntiān)要(yào)做(zuò)的(de)事(shì)太(tài)多(duō)了(le)。

    Dengdeng, there are too many things to do today.

  2. Dengdeng

    先(xiān)想想(xiǎngxiǎng)，首要(shǒuyào)的(de)事(shì)是(shì)什么(shénme)？

    Think first. What is the most important thing?

  3. Liangliang

    首要(shǒuyào)的(de)是(shì)交(jiāo)作业(zuòyè)，明天(míngtiān)就(jiù)要(yào)交(jiāo)。

    The most important is the homework. It's due tomorrow.

  4. Dengdeng

    那(nà)别的(biéde)事(shì)先(xiān)放一放(fàngyīfàng)。

    Then set the other things aside for now.

  5. Liangliang

    好(hǎo)的(de)。首要(shǒuyào)任务(rènwu)，先(xiān)去(qù)买(mǎi)杯(bēi)咖啡(kāfēi)。

    Okay. Top priority: go buy a coffee first.

  6. Dengdeng

    这(zhè)也(yě)能(néng)是(shì)首要(shǒuyào)任务(rènwu)？

    That can be the top priority too?

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In a sentence

2 examples
01

安(ān)全(quán)是(shì)这(zhè)次(cì)活(huó)动(dòng)的(de)首(shǒu)要(yào)问(wèn)题(tí)。

Safety is the most important issue for this event.

02

我(wǒ)们(men)的(de)首(shǒu)要(yào)任(rèn)务(wù)是(shì)按(àn)时(shí)完(wán)成(chéng)报(bào)告(gào)。

Our primary task is to finish the report on time.

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Mainland China stroke order, including traditional characters. Drawing sources & licenses.

Definitions adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG and its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Pinyin display and entry grouping have been adapted.

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