町

• Reading: まち
• Romaji: machi
• Kanji breakdown: 町 (chou/machi) — town, block, neighbourhood
• Pronunciation: /ma.t͡ɕi/

Meaning

Town; neighbourhood; city block. Refers to a populated area smaller than a city.

A noun meaning town or neighbourhood. In the Japanese address system, 町 (chou/machi) is an administrative division smaller than a city (市). It can refer to a small town in rural areas or a neighbourhood block within a larger city. Many place names end in 町, such as 有楽町 (Yurakucho).

Examples

1. この町はとても静かです。 This town is very quiet.
2. 私の町には大きい公園があります。 There's a big park in my town.
3. 古い町を歩くのが好きです。 I like walking through old towns.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, daily life, directions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 町 originally depicted a field (田) with a path (丁) running through it, suggesting a settled area with roads.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal