Japanese Conversation · Level 82
60 words
Japanese word
首都
Pronunciation
Romajishuto
Meaning
- nouncapital
Example
日本の首都は東京です。nihon no shu to wa tō kyō de su
Tokyo is the capital of Japan.
More examples
旅行の前に、首都の交通を調べます。ryo kō no mae ni shu to no kō tsū o shira be ma su
I check the traffic in the capital before the trip.
Core concept
Refers to the city where a country's government is based and national affairs are directed.
Common phrases
首都に向かうshu to ni mu ka u
head to the capital
首都を離れるshu to o hana re ru
leave the capital
Similar words
都miyako: A city that serves as the center of a country or region.
Definition in Japanese
一国の政府機関が集まり、政治を行う中心都市。ichi koku no sei fu ki kan ga atsu ma ri sei ji o okona u chū shin to shi
Word origin
首都 (shuto) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 首 (shu, "head") and 都 (to, "city"), describing the leading city of a country.
Usage tips
- English speakers use capital for both a country's central city and other meanings, including money and uppercase letters.