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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'city' with 城 (chéng)

    Location & Position

    Structure

    在 + 城 + Location Phrase

    Explanation

    The noun 城 (chéng) means 'city,' 'town,' or 'city wall,' and is one of the oldest Chinese words for an urban settlement. It can stand alone or appear as part of compound words like 城市 (city) or 城堡 (castle), and is often used in more literary or classical contexts.

    Examples

    • 这座古城已经有两千多年的历史了。

      Zhè zuò gǔchéng yǐjīng yǒu liǎng qiān duō nián de lìshǐ le.

      This ancient city already has over two thousand years of history.

    • 他们打算进城去买点东西。

      Tāmen dǎsuàn jìn chéng qù mǎi diǎn dōngxi.

      They plan to go into the city to buy a few things.

    • 城外的风景比城里美多了。

      Chéng wài de fēngjǐng bǐ chéng lǐ měi duō le.

      The scenery outside the city is much more beautiful than inside the city.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing 'city' with 城 (chéng) | Chinese Grammar