• 必要ひつよう — necessary / essential
• 要点ようてん — main point / gist
• 重要じゅうよう — important
• 要約ようやく — summary
• 要求ようきゅう — demand / request
• 要所ようしょ — vital point / strategic location

The character 要 depicts a central or pivotal element — something that must be grasped firmly. It carries the sense of importance, necessity, or the “main point.” In compounds, it often highlights what is essential or required.