• 必要ひつよう — necessary, essential
• 要点ようてん — main point, gist
• 重要じゅうよう — important
• 要約ようやく — summary
• 要求ようきゅう — demand, request

The character shows a person holding something firmly — symbolizing something vital or grasped with care. It often appears in compound words to highlight importance or necessity, and is commonly taught early on due to its versatility.

必要ひつような 書類しょるいを提出ていしゅつしてください。
Please submit the necessary documents.

要点ようてんを 簡単かんたんに説明せつめいします。
I’ll briefly explain the main points.

この会議かいぎは 重要じゅうようです。
This meeting is important.

🎧 Often read as ヨウ (you) in compound words. The kun-yomi いる (iru) appears in older or literary usage and means “to be needed” or “to be required.”