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日本語
町 — meaning in English: town
machi · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
Guess the translation for
town
災害
原因
gen'in
イニシアチブ
inishiachibu
町
machi
棚
tana
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neutral
very common
Usage
Native speakers use 町 (machi) when talking about various cities or small towns in Japan. For instance, one might say, 'Let's visit the town (町) near the coast this weekend' or 'I grew up in a small town (町) surrounded by mountains.' It’s common in everyday conversations, travel discussions, and even when referencing local communities.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym of 町 (machi) is 村 (mura), which means 'village.' While 村 (mura) refers to smaller, often rural communities, 町 (machi) can indicate larger settlements with more urban characteristics. Choose 町 (machi) when discussing towns with more developed infrastructures or populations.
Culture
The word 町 (machi) has its roots in ancient Japan, where it originally referred to a place of residence or community. Over time, as Japan modernized, the term evolved to denote urban areas or towns, often featuring a rich blend of tradition and modernity, like in the iconic neighborhoods of Kyoto or the bustling streets of Tokyo.
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