cìyào: 次要 - Secondary, Minor, Subordinate

• Keywords: 次要, cìyào, secondary in Chinese, minor, subordinate, less important, Chinese word for secondary, what does cìyào mean, prioritize in Chinese, zhǔyào vs cìyào
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese adjective 次要 (cìyào), meaning “secondary,” “minor,” or “subordinate.” This page explains how to use cìyào to define priorities in work, study, and daily life, distinguishing what is less important from the main objective. Discover its cultural nuances, see practical example sentences, and understand the key difference between “secondary” (次要) and “unimportant” (不重要).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): cìyào
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: Of secondary importance; minor; subordinate.
• In a Nutshell: 次要 (cìyào) is a fundamental word for ranking and prioritization. It's the label you apply to tasks, issues, or factors that are not the main event. In any situation where you need to distinguish a primary focus from a lesser one, 次要 is the word you need. If your main goal is `主要 (zhǔyào)`, then everything else supporting or following it is 次要.

• 次 (cì): This character's core meaning is “next in sequence,” “order,” or “second.” Imagine people lining up; the first person is `第一 (dì-yī)`, and the one right after is the “next” or `次`. It inherently implies a rank that is not number one.
• 要 (yào): This character means “to want,” “to need,” or, crucially, “important.” It points to something of significance or a requirement.
• When combined, 次要 (cìyào) literally translates to “second importance” or “next in order of what's needed.” This elegantly forms the modern meaning of “secondary” or “subordinate.”

While prioritizing is a universal concept, the explicit use of 次要 (cìyào) in Chinese contexts often reflects a cultural emphasis on clarity, order, and hierarchy. In group settings, whether in a family or a business meeting, clearly defining what is `主要 (zhǔyào)` and what is 次要 (cìyào) is crucial for maintaining harmony and efficiency. In the West, one might soften the language to avoid devaluing someone's suggestion, using phrases like “Let's put a pin in that” or “That's a great point for later.” In China, it is often more direct and acceptable for a leader or decision-maker to state, “这个问题是次要的 (Zhège wèntí shì cìyào de),” meaning “This issue is secondary.” This isn't typically seen as rude but as a necessary step to focus the group's collective energy on the main objective. It aligns with a pragmatic approach where a clear structure helps everyone understand their role and the immediate goals of the group.

次要 is a common and practical word used across various domains. Its connotation is generally neutral and descriptive.

• Business and Project Management: Used constantly in meetings and reports to separate core objectives from peripheral tasks. A project manager might say, “Finishing the main feature is primary; optimizing the UI is a 次要 task for now.”
• Academics and Study: Students and teachers use it to structure learning. For example, “Understanding the main formula is the key point; memorizing its historical origin is 次要.”
• Personal Decision-Making: People use it to weigh options in their daily lives. When buying a phone, one might think, “Battery life is my main concern; the camera quality is 次要.”

While neutral, context is key. Telling someone their opinion or feelings are 次要 can be perceived as dismissive and cold, so it's most often used to describe things, tasks, or abstract concepts rather than people's emotions.

• Example 1:
  • 钱是次要的，健康才是最重要的。
  • Pinyin: Qián shì cìyào de, jiànkāng cái shì zuì zhòngyào de.
  • English: Money is secondary; health is the most important thing.
  • Analysis: A very common and philosophical use of the word to state personal values and priorities.
• Example 2:
  • 在这个项目中，我的角色是次要的。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhège xiàngmù zhōng, wǒ de juésè shì cìyào de.
  • English: In this project, my role is a subordinate one.
  • Analysis: This is a neutral way to describe one's position in a team, indicating that others have the primary responsibilities.
• Example 3:
  • 我们必须先解决主要问题，那些次要细节可以等一等。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū xiān jiějué zhǔyào wèntí, nàxiē cìyào xìjié kěyǐ děng yi děng.
  • English: We must solve the main problems first; those minor details can wait.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the practical use of 次要 in planning and problem-solving.
• Example 4:
  • 对于这个职位，经验是主要的，学历反而是次要的。
  • Pinyin: Duìyú zhège zhíwèi, jīngyàn shì zhǔyào de, xuélì fǎn'ér shì cìyào de.
  • English: For this position, experience is primary, while educational background is actually secondary.
  • Analysis: The word `反而 (fǎn'ér)` adds emphasis, highlighting a contrast that might be unexpected.
• Example 5:
  • 恶劣的天气是导致航班延误的次要原因。
  • Pinyin: Èliè de tiānqì shì dǎozhì hángbān yánwù de cìyào yuányīn.
  • English: The bad weather was a secondary reason for the flight delay.
  • Analysis: Used here to rank causes or factors. This implies there was a more significant, primary reason.
• Example 6:
  • 在学习汉语时，语法是重要的，但敢于开口说更为重要，所以语法错误是次要问题。
  • Pinyin: Zài xuéxí Hànyǔ shí, yǔfǎ shì zhòngyào de, dàn gǎnyú kāikǒu shuō gèng wéi zhòngyào, suǒyǐ yǔfǎ cuòwù shì cìyào wèntí.
  • English: When learning Chinese, grammar is important, but daring to speak is even more important, so grammatical mistakes are a minor issue.
  • Analysis: A great example for language learners, showing how to prioritize practical application over perfect accuracy.
• Example 7:
  • 这部电影的视觉效果很棒，但故事情节被放在了次要位置。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng de shìjué xiàoguǒ hěn bàng, dàn gùshì qíngjié bèi fàng zài le cìyào wèizhì.
  • English: This movie's visual effects are amazing, but the plot was put in a secondary position.
  • Analysis: Here, 次要 modifies `位置 (wèizhì)`, meaning “position” or “place,” a common collocation.
• Example 8:
  • 公司的主要目标是盈利，品牌形象是次要目标。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de zhǔyào mùbiāo shì yínglì, pǐnpái xíngxiàng shì cìyào mùbiāo.
  • English: The company's main objective is profit; brand image is a secondary objective.
  • Analysis: A clear and direct statement of business priorities.
• Example 9:
  • 请不要在这些次要的事务上浪费时间。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng búyào zài zhèxiē cìyào de shìwù shàng làngfèi shíjiān.
  • English: Please don't waste time on these minor affairs.
  • Analysis: This sentence has a slightly admonishing or instructional tone, common in a workplace or academic setting.
• Example 10:
  • 评价一个人时，外貌是次要因素，品德才是根本。
  • Pinyin: Píngjià yí ge rén shí, wàimào shì cìyào yīnsù, pǐndé cái shì gēnběn.
  • English: When evaluating a person, appearance is a secondary factor; moral character is fundamental.
  • Analysis: 次要 is contrasted here with `根本 (gēnběn)`, which means “fundamental” or “essential,” creating a strong statement of values.

The most common pitfall for English speakers is confusing 次要 (cìyào) with 不重要 (bù zhòngyào).

• 次要 (cìyào) means “secondary” or “less important” *in relation to something else*. It acknowledges that the item has some importance, but it's just not at the top of the list. A secondary task still needs to get done eventually.
• 不重要 (bù zhòngyào) means “unimportant.” It implies the item has little to no value and can likely be ignored entirely.

Example of Misunderstanding: Imagine a colleague presents an idea for improving a project's workflow.

• If you say: “这是一个次要的问题，我们先关注核心功能。” (Zhè shì yí ge cìyào de wèntí, wǒmen xiān guānzhù héxīn gōngnéng.)
• Meaning: “This is a secondary issue; let's focus on the core functionality first.” This is appropriate. It validates their idea but places it correctly in the project timeline.
• If you say: “这是一个不重要的问题。” (Zhè shì yí ge bù zhòngyào de wèntí.)
• Meaning: “This is an unimportant issue.” This is much more dismissive and could be offensive, as it implies their idea has no value at all.

Rule of Thumb: Use 次要 when you are ranking things that all have some level of relevance. Use 不重要 when you are dismissing something as irrelevant.

• 主要 (zhǔyào) - The direct antonym of 次要. It means “primary,” “main,” or “major.”
• 重要 (zhòngyào) - Important. This is the base concept of value from which both 主要 and 次要 derive their rank.
• 其次 (qícì) - Secondly; next. An adverb used to list points in order of importance, almost always following `首先 (shǒuxiān)`, which means “firstly.”
• 优先 (yōuxiān) - Priority; to have priority. This verb or noun describes what should be dealt with first, which is always the `主要` item.
• 重点 (zhòngdiǎn) - Key point; focus. The `重点` of a discussion or task is the `主要` part you should concentrate on.
• 配角 (pèijué) - Supporting role; supporting actor. A perfect, concrete example of a 次要 character in a play or film, as opposed to the `主角 (zhǔjué)` (main character).
• 次品 (cìpǐn) - Substandard product; defective good. This noun uses the same character `次` to mean “second-rate” or “inferior” in quality, not just in sequence.
• 第二 (dì'èr) - Second. While 次要 refers to rank in importance, `第二` refers to rank in numerical order (first, second, third). They are not interchangeable.