重中之重

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: zhòng zhōng zhī zhòng
• English Translation: The most important matter, the utmost priority, the core of the core
• Idiom Composition: 「重」（Important）＋「中」（Among）＋「之」（of）＋「重」（Important）
• Meaning: Refers to the most important part among important matters. It indicates the highest priority and the central issue among many elements or tasks.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「重中之重」 contains the following nuances:

• Top Priority: Emphasizes that it is the most important task that should be addressed before anything else.
• Core Issue: Refers to the central element of a problem or situation, whose resolution or achievement determines overall success or failure.
• Urgency: Sometimes indicates an urgent and pressing important matter that requires immediate attention.

3. Usage

「重中之重」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Emphasizing Priority: Used to clearly indicate the most important item among many tasks or issues.
  • Example:「在所有项目中，这个项目是重中之重，我们必须优先处理。」
    （Among all the projects, this one is the top priority, and we must handle it first.）
• Pointing out the Core Issue: Used to point out the central issue in complex problems or situations.
  • Example:「解决环境问题是当前社会发展的重中之重。」
    （Solving environmental problems is the most critical issue in current social development.）
• Formulating Strategies and Policies: Used to indicate the most important goals or policies when formulating strategies for organizations or nations.
  • Example:「教育是国家发展的重中之重，需要我们投入更多的资源。」
    （Education is the top priority for national development, requiring us to invest more resources.）

Additional Examples:

1. 对于这个公司来说，产品质量是重中之重，不能有丝毫的马虎。
   （For this company, product quality is the most important matter and cannot be neglected in the slightest.）
2. 在众多的工作任务中，完成这个报告是重中之重，需要我们集中精力。
   （Among many tasks, completing this report is the top priority, requiring us to focus our energy.）
3. 健康是生活的重中之重，我们应该时刻关注自己的身体状况。
   （Health is the most important aspect of life, and we should always pay attention to our physical condition.）
4. 在这次会议中，讨论预算问题是重中之重。
   （In this meeting, discussing the budget issue is the top priority.）
5. 对于我们团队来说，提高客户满意度是今年的重中之重。
   （For our team, improving customer satisfaction is this year's most important task.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Traditional Chinese thinking emphasizes discerning the relative importance and urgency of matters, distinguishing the main issues from the less important ones. '重中之重' reflects this perspective.
• This idiom not only stresses importance but also carries the nuance of strategically identifying the most critical issue and focusing resources on it.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 举足轻重 (jǔ zú qīng zhòng): Describes a person or thing that holds significant influence in a particular field or situation.
  • 事关重大 (shì guān zhòng dà): Indicates that something is extremely important and relates to significant benefits or outcomes.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 无关紧要 (wú guān jǐn yào): Not important; having little impact or value.

6. Summary

'重中之重' is a powerful expression that points to the most critical issue among many important elements. Using this idiom effectively allows you to clearly communicate what is most important and where to focus attention. It is a versatile idiom applicable in business, politics, education, and many other fields.