kono shugi wa taisetsu desu.

topic particle

Breakdown of kono shugi wa taisetsu desu.

• です: to be
• この: this
• 大切たいせつ: important

Questions & Answers about kono shugi wa taisetsu desu.

What does この mean here, and why does it come directly before 主義?

この means this and it must be followed by a noun.

So:

• この主義 = this principle / this doctrine / this ideology

In Japanese, この is a demonstrative determiner, so it works like English this before a noun. It does not stand alone.

Compare:

• この主義 = this principle
• これ = this one / this thing

So you use この because it is directly modifying 主義.

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What does 主義 mean, and how is it read?

主義 is read しゅぎ.

It often means something like:

• principle
• doctrine
• ideology
• -ism in some contexts

Its exact meaning depends on context. For example:

• 民主主義 = democracy
• 資本主義 = capitalism
• 平和主義 = pacifism
• 主義 by itself can mean a guiding principle, doctrine, or belief system

So in this sentence, 主義 sounds fairly abstract and formal. It is not a casual everyday noun.

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What does the particle do in this sentence?