Это важный знак.

This is an important sign.

Breakdown of Это важный знак.

• это: this
• важный: important
• знак: the sign

Questions & Answers about Это важный знак.

Why is there no word for is in Это важный знак?

In Russian, the verb to be is usually left out in the present tense.

So:

• Это важный знак = This is an important sign
• literally: This important sign

Russian speakers understand the is automatically.

But in other tenses, forms of to be do appear:

• Это был важный знак = This was an important sign
• Это будет важный знак = This will be an important sign

What does это mean here?

Это is very common and can mean this, that, or sometimes it, depending on context.

In this sentence, это introduces or identifies something:

• Это важный знак = This/That is an important sign

A useful thing to know: in sentences like this, это often works a bit like this is or that is.

Compare:

• Это знак = This is a sign
• Это важно = This is important

So here это is pointing to something and identifying it.

Why is it важный and not some other form of ?