<p>Unlike English, <code>（简）优先／（繁）優先</code> is an adjective while <code>（简）优先级／（繁）優先級</code> is a noun.</p>

<pre><code>1. （简）这个项目优先级最高。
   （繁）這個項目優先級最高。
</code></pre>

<p>If you want to use an adjective then the expression will be like</p>

<pre><code>2. （简）这个项目是最高优先的。（所以……）
   （繁）這個項目是最高優先的。（所以……）
</code></pre>

<p>You may notice a small difference in meaning, the first one is often used as response or a single sentence. The second is <strong>NOT</strong> very usually used as only a single sentence, but you can still use it as a single when the <code>所以</code> is obvious.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-14T19:14:29.920Z
I don't think 优先 is an adjective but a verb. E.g. 女士优先 cannot be rewritten as 女士是优先; Your example #2 also complies to the rule 'verb + 的 = adjective'.
NS.X.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-14T20:09:20.167Z
@NS.X. In my opinion, `女士优先` is an idiom where 优先 is still an adjective, but it can also be understood as a verb. 也许是形容词直接当作动词来用了吧，和古汉语常见的词类活用一个道理。
Mike Manilone
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-14T20:38:52.730Z
Both are possible actually. There is no need to limit a compound to just one part of speech.
deutschZuid
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-14T20:51:29.563Z
@NS.X. The example#2 is not 'verb+的'. I noticed that "sth 是 adj" sounds weird, "sth 是 adj 的" sounds better. So I think 是 can be only used between two nouns, "adj+的=noun" is the rule. Maybe this is also a regional problem.
Mike Manilone
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-14T21:12:18.530Z
@MikeManilone I think you're right, it's blurry in Chinese. 动词作定/状语 and 形容词动用 are both very common, too common to make a clear distinction in many cases.
NS.X.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-15T14:18:24.243Z
I rarely see or hear things as in your example #2.
fefe
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-15T15:42:09.027Z
@fefe yes, that's true, though it's still right and I will not get surprised when I hear it.
Mike Manilone
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-17T00:28:13.100Z
@MikeManilone Well, I will get surprised if hear a native say so.
fefe
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-17T05:10:53.823Z
@fefe Maybe yet another regional problem :-/
Mike Manilone
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-14T18:23:36.407Z
2013-02-14T18:23:36.407Z
Mike Manilone
<p>From the dictionary I gather that 优先 by itself means "priority" and so 优先级 means "level of priority".</p>

<p>In a phrase such as 高优先级，or 最高优先级，is the 级 necessary to sound correct, or is it an optional "stylistic" element, as in English where "highest priority" is the same as "highest level of priority"?</p>

<meaning><synonyms><style>
Is 级 necessary in 优先级
# Is 级 necessary in 优先级

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-02-14)

From the dictionary I gather that 优先 by itself means "priority" and so 优先级 means "level of priority".

In a phrase such as 高优先级，or 最高优先级，is the 级 necessary to sound correct, or is it an optional "stylistic" element, as in English where "highest priority" is the same as "highest level of priority"?

**Tags:** meaning, synonyms, style


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2013-02-14. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

Unlike English, `（简）优先／（繁）優先` is an adjective while `（简）优先级／（繁）優先級` is a noun.

```
1. （简）这个项目优先级最高。
   （繁）這個項目優先級最高。

```

If you want to use an adjective then the expression will be like

```
2. （简）这个项目是最高优先的。（所以……）
   （繁）這個項目是最高優先的。（所以……）

```

You may notice a small difference in meaning, the first one is often used as response or a single sentence. The second is **NOT** very usually used as only a single sentence, but you can still use it as a single when the `所以` is obvious.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: I don't think 优先 is an adjective but a verb. E.g. 女士优先 cannot be rewritten as 女士是优先; Your example #2 also complies to the rule 'verb + 的 = adjective'.  
> **username_1**: @NS.X. In my opinion, `女士优先` is an idiom where 优先 is still an adjective, but it can also be understood as a verb. 也许是形容词直接当作动词来用了吧，和古汉语常见的词类活用一个道理。  
> **username_3**: Both are possible actually. There is no need to limit a compound to just one part of speech.  
> **username_1**: @NS.X. The example#2 is not 'verb+的'. I noticed that "sth 是 adj" sounds weird, "sth 是 adj 的" sounds better. So I think 是 can be only used between two nouns, "adj+的=noun" is the rule. Maybe this is also a regional problem.  
> **username_2**: @username_1 I think you're right, it's blurry in Chinese. 动词作定/状语 and 形容词动用 are both very common, too common to make a clear distinction in many cases.  
> **username_4**: I rarely see or hear things as in your example #2.  
> **username_1**: @username_4 yes, that's true, though it's still right and I will not get surprised when I hear it.  
> **username_4**: @username_1 Well, I will get surprised if hear a native say so.  
> **username_1**: @username_4 Maybe yet another regional problem :-/  

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