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    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to a capital city with 京都 (jīngdū)

    Location & Position
    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    京都

    Explanation

    The noun 京都 (jīngdū) means "capital city" in classical and literary Chinese. It refers to the capital of a country or state, particularly in historical contexts. Note that in modern Chinese, 首都 (shǒudū) is the more common term for "capital city."

    Examples

    • 古代的京都通常是全国最繁华的地方。

      Gǔdài de jīngdū tōngcháng shì quánguó zuì fánhuá de dìfang.

      In ancient times, the capital was usually the most prosperous place in the whole country.

    • 那时候的京都人口已经超过百万了。

      Nà shíhou de jīngdū rénkǒu yǐjīng chāoguò bǎi wàn le.

      At that time, the capital already had a population exceeding one million.

    • 皇帝决定把京都迁到北方去。

      Huángdì juédìng bǎ jīngdū qiān dào běifāng qù.

      The emperor decided to move the capital to the north.

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