What is the Kanji for 'Metropolis'? | 都

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Metropolis', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Metropolis' is 都.

kanji

都

Meaning

Metropolis

Reading

kunyomiみやこ

miyako

onyomiと

つ

tsu

Parts

者Someone ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

都: capital. The Japanese noun '都 (と)' primarily means 'capital', referring to the main city of a country or region, especially where the government is located. It is often used in formal contexts or when discussing administrative or political matters. For example: Tokyo is the capital of Japan「東京は日本の都です」(とうきょうはにほんのとです). Kyoto was once the capital of Japan「京都はかつて日本の都でした」(きょうとはかつてにほんのとでした). The word can also appear in compound nouns, such as '都庁 (とちょう)' (metropolitan government office). While '都' can sometimes refer to a large city or metropolis, its primary and most distinct meaning is 'capital'.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

409

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 都

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

kanji

者

Meaning

Someone

radical

⻏

Meaning

Mound

Radical Form Of

阜

Words Using 都

This kanji is used in 9 words:

word

都市

Meaning

City

word

都

Meaning

Capital

word

都合

Meaning

Convenience, Circumstances

word

首都

Meaning

Capital

word

都会

Meaning

City

word

都内

Meaning

Tokyo

word

都心

Meaning

City center

word

都立

Meaning

Metropolitan

word

都庁

Meaning

Government, Metropolitan

Kanji Related to 都 Through the Part 者

These 8 kanji contain the part 者 as well.

kanji

暑

Meaning

Hot

kanji

諸

Meaning

Many, Various

kanji

緒

Meaning

Beginning, Together

kanji

著

Meaning

Renowned, Author

kanji

署

Meaning

Government office

kanji

煮

Meaning

Boil

kanji

賭

Meaning

Gamble

kanji

箸

Meaning

Chopsticks

Kanji Related to 都 Through the Part ⻏

These 11 kanji contain the part ⻏ as well.

kanji

部

Meaning

Section, Department

kanji

郵

Meaning

Mail

kanji

郡

Meaning

County, District

kanji

郊

Meaning

Suburbs

kanji

郎

Meaning

Young man, Guy

kanji

邸

Meaning

Residence

kanji

郷

Meaning

Hometown

kanji

邪

Meaning

Wicked

kanji

邦

Meaning

State, Japan

kanji

郭

Meaning

Enclosure

kanji

那

Meaning

What

Learn the Kanji 都

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 都 mean?

都 means 'Metropolis'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.