重中之重
Top priority
Literalmente: The heavy (important) within the heavy (important).
Use it to identify the single most critical element in any plan or situation.
En 15 segundos
- The absolute top priority among many.
- The most important of the important.
- Used to highlight the core essential task.
Significado
Think of your to-do list. The one item at the very top that is more critical than everything else combined? That's your '重中之重'. It is the priority of all priorities.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6In a business meeting
提高产品质量是今年的重中之重。
Improving product quality is the top priority this year.
Giving health advice
对你来说，现在的重中之重是休息。
For you, the absolute priority right now is resting.
Texting a friend about a trip
别忘了带护照，那是重中之重！
Don't forget your passport, that's the most important thing!
Contexto cultural
The phrase follows a classical Chinese grammatical structure 'A of A' to indicate the highest degree of something. While it sounds formal, it became extremely popular in modern Chinese political discourse and corporate culture to emphasize key strategic goals. It reflects the cultural value of 'finding the contradiction' or the single most important factor in a complex system.
The 'A of A' Secret
This pattern is a shortcut to sounding sophisticated. You can also say '话中之话' (words within words/hidden meaning).
Don't Dilute It
If everything is a '重中之重', then nothing is. Use it only for the one true priority to keep your impact high.
En 15 segundos
- The absolute top priority among many.
- The most important of the important.
- Used to highlight the core essential task.
What It Means
Imagine you have a big pile of tasks. Some are important, but one is the king. That is 重中之重. It means "the most important of the important." It is the absolute top priority on your list. If you ignore this, everything else might fail. It’s like the engine of a car. Without it, the fancy seats don't matter much. It highlights the core essence of a situation.
How To Use It
You usually use it after the word 是. For example, 安全是重中之重. This means "Safety is the top priority." You can also use it as a standalone noun phrase. It highlights one specific thing above all others. It’s a great way to show you are serious. Use it to align your team or family. It sounds professional but is very easy to understand. It acts as a powerful anchor for your sentences.
When To Use It
Use it in a meeting to focus your colleagues. Use it when discussing health or big life decisions. It’s perfect for planning a big event like a wedding. If you are texting a friend about a trip, use it. "Getting to the airport on time is 重中之重!" It adds a bit of weight to your words. It shows you have your priorities straight. It works well when you need to be firm but clear.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for every little thing. If you say "Choosing a napkin color is 重中之重," people will laugh. It’s too heavy for small, trivial choices. Unless you are being sarcastic, keep it for big stuff. Overusing it makes it lose its power. You don't want to be the person who cries wolf. Save it for the things that truly matter. It’s a high-caliber word, so use it sparingly.
Cultural Background
The structure A 中之 A is a classic Chinese pattern. It creates a superlative meaning by nesting the word. 重 originally meant "heavy," but grew to mean "important." In Chinese culture, hierarchy and order are very valued. This phrase helps establish that order clearly. It’s very common in news and official speeches. However, it feels natural in daily life too. It reflects a mindset of finding the 'core' of any issue.
Common Variations
You might hear 首要任务 which means "primary task." Another one is 当务之急, which means "pressing matter." While similar, 重中之重 focuses more on importance than just speed. It’s about the weight of the issue. You can also say 至关重要 for "extremely vital." These all help you sound more fluent and precise. Pick the one that fits your specific vibe and the urgency level.
Notas de uso
While it leans toward formal or professional registers, it is widely understood and used in daily life for emphasis. Avoid using it for trivialities unless you are intentionally being humorous.
The 'A of A' Secret
This pattern is a shortcut to sounding sophisticated. You can also say '话中之话' (words within words/hidden meaning).
Don't Dilute It
If everything is a '重中之重', then nothing is. Use it only for the one true priority to keep your impact high.
News Anchor Vibes
You will hear this constantly on Chinese news (CCTV). It's the go-to phrase for officials to signal what matters most.
Ejemplos
6提高产品质量是今年的重中之重。
Improving product quality is the top priority this year.
Sets a clear strategic focus for the team.
对你来说，现在的重中之重是休息。
For you, the absolute priority right now is resting.
Emphasizes that health comes before work or other tasks.
别忘了带护照，那是重中之重！
Don't forget your passport, that's the most important thing!
Uses the phrase for emphasis in a casual but urgent context.
在感情里，信任是重中之重。
In a relationship, trust is the priority of priorities.
Highlights the foundational element of a partnership.
对我来说，买这套皮肤才是重中之重。
To me, buying this skin is the top priority.
Humorous use of a heavy phrase for a trivial gaming item.
复习重点词汇是这次考试的重中之重。
Reviewing key vocabulary is the top priority for this exam.
Directs study efforts toward the most impactful area.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the best phrase to complete the sentence about a project deadline.
明天就要交报告了，完成最后一部分是___。
Since the report is due tomorrow, finishing the last part is the 'top priority'.
Which word correctly completes the pattern 'A 中之 A' for this expression?
___ 中之 ___
The phrase is '重中之重', using the character for heavy/important.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality of '重中之重'
Used sarcastically with friends about minor things.
Finding my lost sock is 重中之重.
Daily planning or giving advice.
Safety is 重中之重.
Business reports and government speeches.
Economic growth is the 重中之重.
When to use '重中之重'
Project Management
Meeting the deadline.
Personal Health
Getting enough sleep.
Travel Planning
Bringing your ID.
Cooking
Not burning the main dish.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, it is considered a four-character idiom (Chengyu), though it has a very modern and flexible feel compared to ancient ones.
Not really. It is used for tasks, concepts, or abstract goals. You wouldn't call your best friend a 重中之重.
重要 just means 'important.' 重中之重 means it is the most important thing among many other important things.
No, it can be the subject. For example: 重中之重是我们要团结 (The top priority is that we must unite).
It's fine for texting if you want to emphasize a point strongly or if you're being a bit dramatic/funny.
Technically no, that's not a standard phrase. People would understand you're trying to say 'least important,' but it sounds weird.
It's very common in both. You'll see it in newspapers and hear it in office meetings every day.
It's 'zhòng zhōng zhī zhòng'. Note that the first and last characters are the same but the tone is 4th (falling).
You could just say 最重要的事情 (the most important thing) if you want to sound less 'official'.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in academic writing to highlight a primary research focus or finding.
Frases relacionadas
当务之急
至关重要
头等大事
首要任务
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