kono machi wa utsukushii desu.

topic particle

Breakdown of kono machi wa utsukushii desu.

• です: to be
• この: this
• 町まち: town

Questions & Answers about kono machi wa utsukushii desu.

What is the reading of 町 in this sentence, and does it ever change?

In this sentence, 町 is read まち (machi), meaning town. It generally reads まち when it's used on its own. In compounds such as 町長, it's read ちょう (chō).

What does この mean, and why can't we say これ町?

この is a demonstrative adjective meaning this [noun]. It must directly modify a noun (e.g., この町 = this town). これ on its own is a pronoun meaning this thing and cannot precede another noun.

What role does the particle は play here, and why not が?

は is the topic marker, highlighting この町 as the topic of the sentence: As for this town. Use は when describing or commenting on something already introduced. が is the subject marker, indicating new or emphasized information. Saying この町が美しいです could imply It is this town (and not another) that is beautiful.

Why is は pronounced wa instead of ha here?

When は functions as the topic particle, it's pronounced . The spelling remains , but you always say for the topic marker.