Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Most important, essential, crucial: "Chí yếu" describes something of the utmost importance, the core or most critical element in a matter.

Usage

• "Chí yếu" is a formal, literary adjective. It is used to emphasize the supreme importance of a factor, principle, or element within a specific context. It is stronger and more emphatic than simply "quan trọng" (important).
• It is typically placed before the noun it modifies.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đây là vấn đề chí yếu của dự án. (This is the most crucial issue of the project.)
  • Sự chân thành là yếu tố chí yếu trong tình bạn. (Sincerity is the most essential factor in friendship.)
  • Mục tiêu chí yếu của chúng tôi là đảm bảo an toàn. (Our paramount objective is to ensure safety.)

Advanced Usage

• "cốt yếu" vs. "chí yếu": While both mean "essential," "cốt yếu" often refers to the fundamental, indispensable nature of something (the core/bone), whereas "chí yếu" emphasizes the highest degree of importance (the utmost).
• "then chốt" vs. "chí yếu": "Then chốt" (key, pivotal) often refers to a decisive point or moment, while "chí yếu" describes a state of being supremely important.

Variants and Related Words

• Chủ yếu (adj): Main, primary, principal. (Less emphatic than "chí yếu").
• Căn bản (adj): Basic, fundamental.
• Số một (adj): Number one, top. (More colloquial).
• Tối quan trọng (adj): Extremely important. (A more common synonym in modern usage).

Synonyms

• Tối quan trọng: Extremely important.
• Mấu chốt: Crucial, key.
• Cốt tử: Vital, of life-and-death importance.

Related Phrases

• Điểm chí yếu: The most crucial point.
• Nhiệm vụ chí yếu: The paramount mission.
• Nguyên tắc chí yếu: The fundamental principle.

1. Most important