Both 大切 and 大事 can describe something important or precious; context often permits either.
The idea
Both are na-adjectives: use 大切な or 大事な before a noun, and 大切です or 大事です as a predicate. 大切にする and 大事にする both mean to treasure or take good care of something. 大事 can also mean a serious incident.
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| 大切な | 大切な写真 |
| 大事な | 大事な会議 |
| 大事 | お大事に |
Examples
- これは大切な写真です。This is a precious photo.
- 私には家族が大事です。My family is important to me.
- 明日は大事な会議があります。Tomorrow is an important meeting.
- この本を大切にしています。I take good care of this book.
- 体を大事にしてください。Please take care of your health.
- 大事ですか。Is it serious?
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Watch out
Do not treat the nuance as a strict division between emotional and practical importance: both words work for people, things and priorities. In お大事に, however, use 大事, not 大切.
Try it yourself
これは＿＿写真です。（大切／大事）
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大切な / 大事な
大切な modifies 写真 with な; 大事な is also natural here.
お＿＿にしてください。（大切／大事）
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大事
大事にしてください is the conventional wish to someone who is ill; 大切 is not used in this set phrase.
けがは＿＿ですか。（大切／大事）
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大事
大事です asks whether there is a serious problem; 大切 does not have this meaning.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
これは＿＿写真です。（大切／大事）
大切な / 大事な
お＿＿にしてください。（大切／大事）
けがは＿＿ですか。（大切／大事）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe someone precious, an important appointment and something you take care of. Then practise the conventional expressions.