東京(とうきょう)

東京(とうきょう) literally means "eastern capital" (東(ひがし) east + 京(きょう) capital). It became the capital when the emperor moved from 京都(きょうと) (Kyoto, "capital city") in 1868.

Administrative terms

• 東京都(とうきょうと): Tokyo Metropolis (official name; unique administrative status, not a 県(けん))
• 都内(とない): within Tokyo (used like "in Tokyo" for urban areas)
• 都心(としん): central Tokyo (the core business/government area)
• 首都圏(しゅとけん): Greater Tokyo Area (includes surrounding prefectures)

Common patterns

• 東京(とうきょう)に住(す)む: to live in Tokyo
• 東京(とうきょう)に行(い)く: to go to Tokyo
• 東京(とうきょう)出身(しゅっしん): from Tokyo

Usage

Informally, 東京(とうきょう) often refers specifically to the 23 special wards (特別区(とくべつく)), while 東京都(とうきょうと) includes western suburban areas as well.