首都圏

• Reading: しゅとけん
• Romaji: shutoken
• Kanji breakdown: 首 (shu/kubi) — head, neck; 都 (to/miyako) — capital, metropolis; 圏 (ken) — sphere, zone
• Pronunciation: /ɕɯ.to.keɴ/

Meaning

Greater Tokyo Metropolitan area; the capital region.

A noun referring to the area surrounding the capital city, specifically the Greater Tokyo area including Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, and surrounding prefectures. Frequently used in news, transportation, and real estate contexts. Broader than 東京都 which refers only to Tokyo proper.

Examples

1. 首都圏の電車は朝のラッシュがひどい。 Trains in the Greater Tokyo area are terrible during the morning rush hour.
2. 首都圏に住む人口は約3,500万人だ。 The population living in the Greater Tokyo area is approximately 35 million.
3. 地震が首都圏を直撃する可能性が指摘されている。 The possibility of an earthquake hitting the Greater Tokyo area directly has been pointed out.

Usage Guide

Context: news, geography, transportation, real estate

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 首都 (shuto, capital city) + 圏 (ken, sphere/zone). Literally 'capital city sphere,' defining the broader metropolitan region centred on the national capital.

Cultural Context

Era: Post-war

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal