都(みやこ)

みやこ
noun
capital (city), metropolis
1. capital city
The seat of government, especially historically.
京都(きょうと)は昔(むかし)の都(みやこ)だった。
Kyoto was the former capital.
奈良(なら)は古(ふる)い都(みやこ)として知(し)られている。
Nara is known as an ancient capital.
平安(へいあん)時代(じだい)に都(みやこ)が京都(きょうと)に移(うつ)された。
The capital was moved to Kyoto during the Heian period.
2. metropolis, large city
A major urban center, especially one known for culture or sophistication.
花(はな)の都(みやこ)パリ。
Paris, the city of flowers.
Poetic expression for a beautiful city
都(みやこ)を離(はな)れて田舎(いなか)に住(す)む。
To leave the city and live in the countryside.
若者(わかもの)は仕事(しごと)を求(もと)めて都(みやこ)に集(あつ)まってくる。
Young people gather in the big city seeking work.

A somewhat literary or classical word for capital city.

HISTORICAL CAPITALS OF JAPAN:

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

RELATED READINGS:

  • 都(みやこ) - capital (native reading)
  • 都(と) - metropolis (as in 東京都(とうきょうと))
  • 首都(しゅと) - capital city (modern term)

Related Words

Related: 首都(しゅと) (capital (modern))
general
Added 2026.1.12 21:48 · Revised 2026.5.28 0:10
03500/03747_miyako