Japanese word

都市

Pronunciation

Romajitoshi

Meaning

  • nouncity

Example

この国には大きな都市が三つあります。ko no kuni ni wa ō ki na to shi ga mit tsu a ri ma su

There are three large cities in this country.

Illustration for 都市 (city)

More examples

この都市は海の近くです。ko no to shi wa umi no chika ku de su

This city is near the sea.

多くの人が都市に住んでいます。ō ku no hito ga to shi ni su n de i ma su

Many people live in cities.

Core concept

It describes a populous built-up area that functions as a center for work, services, commerce, and public life.

Common phrases

  • 都市に住むto shi ni su mu

    live in a city

  • 都市で働くto shi de hatara ku

    work in a city

  • 都市の中心to shi no chū shin

    city center

Similar words

市shi: A city recognized as an administrative municipality.
街machi: A built-up area with streets, shops, homes, and places where people gather.
都会tokai: A large, developed urban area with many people, buildings, jobs, and services.

Definition in Japanese

多くの人が集まって暮らし、仕事や商業などが盛んに行われる地域。ō ku no hito ga atsu ma tte ku ra shi shi goto ya shō gyō na do ga saka n ni okona wa re ru chi iki

Word origin

都市 (toshi) is formed from 都 (to, "metropolis") and 市 (shi, "city" or "market"), two characters used with their Sino-Japanese readings.

Usage tips

  • Japanese municipality names often end in 市 (shi), while 都市 (toshi) is the general word for a city or urban area rather than a name ending.

Opposites

Related words

  • 都市化toshikaurbanizationnoun
  • 都市的toshitekiurbanna-adjective

Word lists with this word