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" originates from an early representation of a raised geographical formation, conceptually indicating a high mound or terrace, which influenced its structural design to emphasize aspects of altitude and distinction. This initial meaning gradually expanded to refer to a capital city, as such metropolitan centers were often located on elevated terrain or came to symbolize the highest echelons of political and cultural authority. Its graphical composition, which has remained consistent, combines elements that suggest height and preeminence, with the upper part evoking a canopy or summit and the lower portion a foundational support. Over time, the semantic focus shifted from a physical elevation to a metaphorical one, solidifying its primary contemporary role as a designation for a capital, central to terms like Beijing, while still retaining residual connotations of loftiness and central importance.
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。