sau2 jiu3首要
Jyutpingsau2 jiu3
Yalesáu yiu
Definition
Of the utmost importance; chief; primary; number one.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
Often used in formal or professional contexts to describe priorities or conditions. While it carries a sense of urgency or hierarchy, it sounds more structured and objective than simply saying 最重要. It frequently appears in news reports, business meetings, or official policy discussions.
Examples
Solving this problem is the top priority.
Which thing do you think is the primary consideration?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use this interchangeably with 最重要 in casual conversation, but it can sound overly formal or stiff when talking about trivial daily matters. Stick to 最重要 for everyday speech and reserve 首要 for more serious or strategic topics.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
