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N3

Kanji 都: meanings, readings, and example words.

2 min read

Kanji 都: metropolis, capital, all, everything

Key takeaways

Kanji 都: metropolis, capital, all, everything. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

都
N3

Meaning

metropoliscapitalalleverything

On reading

トツ

Kun reading

みやこ

Radical

邑

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 都

metropolis, capital, all, everything

Kanji structure breakdown

都

Structure breakdown

者 + ⻏

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

A town (⻏) where many people (者) gather together is a metropolis. Think of a capital city or a large urban center where the population is concentrated.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

ト
  • 都心としん

    city center / urban core

  • 首都しゅと

    capital city

  • 都会とかい

    city / urban area

  • 都市とし

    city / urban area

  • 都合つごう

    circumstances / convenience / situation

  • 都と

    metropolitan area / capital city

Kun reading

みやこ
  • 都みやこ

    capital city

Commonly used words

  • 都心
    としん

    city center / urban core

  • 首都
    しゅと

    capital city

  • 都会
    とかい

    city / urban area

  • 都市
    とし

    city / urban area

  • 都合
    つごう

    circumstances / convenience / situation

  • 都
    と

    metropolitan area / capital city

  • 都
    みやこ

    capital city

Example sentences

Example 1

都心で新しい店が増えています。

Translation

New shops are increasing in the city center.

Example 2

夜の都心はとてもにぎやかです。

Translation

The city center is very lively at night.

Example 3

東京は日本の首都です。

Translation

Tokyo is the capital city of Japan.

Example 4

首都に行く電車は混んでいます。

Translation

The train to the capital city is crowded.

Kanji 都: metropolis, capital, all, everything | Daily Nihongo