(きんき)

きんき
noun
Kinki region
1. Kinki region; Kansai area of Japan
A geographic region in the central part of Japan's main island, encompassing Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Shiga, Wakayama, and Mie prefectures. The traditional name for what is now more commonly called Kansai.
近畿(きんき)地方(ちほう)歴史(れきし)(ふか)い。
The Kinki region has a deep history.
近畿(きんき)地方(ちほう)には(ふる)(てら)神社(じんじゃ)がたくさんある。
There are many old temples and shrines in the Kinki region.
天気予報(てんきよほう)によると、明日(あした)近畿(きんき)地方(ちほう)全体(ぜんたい)(あめ)になるそうだ。
According to the weather forecast, it will rain across the entire Kinki region tomorrow.

USAGE:
近畿(きんき) is the traditional and official name used in government, weather reports, and formal contexts. In everyday conversation, 関西(かんさい) (Kansai) is more commonly used. The two terms cover slightly different geographic areas — 近畿(きんき) includes 三重県(みえけん), while Kansai traditionally does not.

ORIGIN:
The name literally means "near the capital" ((きん) near + () imperial capital), referring to proximity to the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 近畿(きんき)地方(ちほう) (Kinki region)
  • 近畿(きんき)(けん) (Kinki metropolitan area)
  • 近畿(きんき)大学(だいがく) (Kinki University, now officially Kindai University)