adjective / verb HSK 5
essential · indispensable · necessary · must have

Meaning

必需 describes something that is absolutely necessary or essential for a particular purpose or situation. It emphasizes that something cannot be done without or that something is required for proper functioning. This word is commonly used in formal contexts, academic writing, and when discussing requirements or necessities.

Usage

必需 is often confused with 必须 (bìxū, must/have to), but they differ: 必需 describes things that are necessary (adjective), while 必须 expresses obligation or requirement (modal verb). 必需 typically appears before nouns (必需品 = necessities) or in patterns like '对...是必需的' (is necessary for...). It's more formal than everyday speech.

Examples

  1. 01
    水和食物是人类生存的必需品。
    Shuǐ shí shì rén lèi shēng cún de pǐn.
    Water and food are necessities for human survival.
  2. 02
    良好的沟通对团队合作是必需的。
    Liáng hǎo de gōu tōng duì tuán duì zuò shì de.
    Good communication is essential for teamwork.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 必需
    pǐn
    necessities, essential items
  • 生活必需
    shēng huó pǐn
    daily necessities
  • 必需
    shì de
    is essential
  • 必需条件
    tiáo jiàn
    necessary condition

Antonyms

Origin

Combines 必 (must/certainly) with 需 (need/require) to create a compound meaning 'must need' or 'necessarily required.' Both characters reinforce the sense of absolute necessity.

Related