首要 shǒuyào the most important
the most important; of chief importance
How to remember 首要: 首 head + 要 want = the most important.
Characters
How it is used
- Of first importance, primary - 首要任务 (shǒuyào rènwu) the top-priority task, 首要问题 (shǒuyào wèntí) the foremost issue.
- Marks the number-one priority in a ranking; a modifier, stronger than 主要 (zhǔyào, main).
- 首 = head/first, so it's literally the leading concern.