Questions & Answers about kono choukoku wa ookii desu.
What is the reading of 彫刻, and what does it refer to here?
彫刻 is read ちょうこく.
In this sentence, it means sculpture. Depending on context, 彫刻 can also refer more broadly to carving or sculptural work, but here it is being used as a noun: a sculpture.
Why is この used instead of これ?
この means this when it comes directly before a noun.
- この 彫刻 = this sculpture
By contrast, これ means this one / this thing and stands by itself.
So:
- この 彫刻 は 大きいです。 = This sculpture is big.
- これ は 大きいです。 = This is big.
A common learner rule is:
- この / その / あの
- noun
- これ / それ / あれ = stand alone
What is the role of は in this sentence?
