都

• Reading: みやこ
• Romaji: miyako
• Kanji breakdown: 都 (to/miyako) — capital, metropolis
• Pronunciation: /mi.ja.ko/

Meaning

City; capital. A literary or traditional word for a capital city or grand metropolis.

A more literary and poetic word compared to 首都. Historically referred to the imperial capital, such as Kyoto (which was called 都 for centuries). Still used in modern Japanese in expressions like 花の都 (city of flowers, referring to Paris) and in the place name 京都 (Kyoto, literally 'capital city').

Examples

1. 京都はかつて日本の都だった。 Kyoto was once the capital of Japan.
2. パリは花の都と呼ばれている。 Paris is called the City of Flowers.
3. 奈良も昔は都として栄えた場所だ。 Nara was also a place that flourished as a capital in the past.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, history, place names

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The character 都 depicts a gathering of people (者) in a city (邑), representing a place where people and power converge.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal