adjectival noun or quasi-adjective, noun

  1. extremely important, essential, vital, crucial.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
肝要 かんよう

Contained Kanji Breakdown

liver, pluck, nerve
カン きも (8th, N1)
month, moon
つき ゲツ ガツ (1st, N5)
dry, parch, ebb
ひ.る カン ほ.す (6th, N2)
need, main point, essence
ヨウ い.る かなめ (4th, N3)
variant of radical 146
woman, female
ジョ おんな め (1st, N5)