北京

• Pinyin: běi jīng
• Hanzi breakdown: 北 (north) + 京 (capital) — the northern capital

Meaning

Beijing. The capital city of China, located in northern China.

China's political and cultural centre. Home to landmarks such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square. The name literally means 'northern capital', in contrast to 南京 (Nanjing, 'southern capital').

Examples

1. 我想去北京。 I want to go to Beijing.
2. 北京很大。 Beijing is very big.
3. 他在北京工作。 He works in Beijing.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, travel

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你去过北京吗？(Have you been to Beijing?)
• 北京是中国的首都。(Beijing is the capital of China.)

Don't Say

• 北京城市 as a noun phrase (Don't add 城市 after 北京 — 北京 already implies a city)

Origin & History

Literally 'northern capital': 北 (north) + 京 (capital). Named to distinguish it from other historical capitals. Beijing has served as China's capital for most of the last 800 years.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal