Definitions
(noun)
capital city
(noun)
Beijing (abbr.)
Etymology
Pictograph of a tall building. Similar to 高. Based on the original meaning "high place". The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "capital city".
About
The character "京" originally represented a raised mound or elevated terrain, an etymology reflected in its early usage. Its contemporary structure is built around the radical "亠" covering a component that suggests a platform or substantial base. The meaning shifted from denoting a physical high place to specifically indicating a capital city, a transition that aligned with the historical practice of situating political centers in prominent locations. This semantic change solidified during the classical period, and the character now exclusively denotes a capital, as seen in its role within geographical names and related compounds.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
北京天气很好。
京剧很好看。
京菜很有名。
北京有很多古迹。
我准备进京学习。
京广铁路连接南北。
京味儿文化吸引游客。
尽管京沪两地距离遥远，但交通很方便。