dōngjīng: 东京 - Tokyo

• Keywords: 东京, dongjing, Tokyo in Chinese, how to say Tokyo in Chinese, what does dongjing mean, Eastern Capital, Chinese name for Tokyo, Chinese city names, Beijing vs Tokyo, learning Chinese geography.
• Summary: 东京 (Dōngjīng) is the official Chinese name for Tokyo, the capital of Japan. The name literally translates to “Eastern Capital,” a historical designation that contrasts with other major Asian capitals like China's “Northern Capital,” 北京 (Běijīng). This entry breaks down the characters, cultural significance, and practical usage of 东京 for beginner learners of Mandarin Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dōngjīng
• Part of Speech: Proper Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: The Chinese name for Tokyo, the capital city of Japan.
• In a Nutshell: “东京” is how you say “Tokyo” in Chinese. It's not a phonetic loanword but a direct translation of the Japanese Kanji characters, which mean “Eastern Capital.” This naming pattern is common in East Asia, so understanding 东京 helps you recognize the names of other major cities like 北京 (Běijīng).

• 东 (dōng): This character means “east.” It is a pictograph of the sun (日) rising behind a tree (木), representing the direction of the sunrise.
• 京 (jīng): This character means “capital city.” It originates from a pictogram of a tall, grand building, symbolizing the center of government and power.

These two characters combine to form a literal and descriptive name: “Eastern Capital.” This was the name given to the city (formerly called Edo) when it became Japan's imperial capital in 1868.

The term “东京” is a perfect example of the shared logographic writing system between China and Japan. While pronounced differently—“Dōngjīng” in Mandarin and “Tōkyō” in Japanese—the characters 東京 are identical and carry the same core meaning in both languages. For a Western learner, this is a key cultural insight. Unlike in English where we adopt the local pronunciation (“Tokyo”), Chinese directly adopts the written characters and applies its own pronunciation. This reveals the deep historical and linguistic ties in East Asia. The name's logic becomes clearer when compared to major Chinese cities:

• 东京 (Dōngjīng): Eastern Capital (of Japan)
• 北京 (Běijīng): Northern Capital (of China)
• 南京 (Nánjīng): Southern Capital (a former capital of China)

Recognizing this “direction + capital” pattern is a great shortcut for learners to identify and remember the names of major historical hubs in the region.

In modern conversation, “东京” is used exactly as “Tokyo” is in English. It's a neutral place name used in all contexts, from casual conversation to formal news reporting.

• Travel and Tourism: It's one of the most popular travel destinations for Chinese tourists. You'll hear it constantly when discussing vacation plans, flights, and hotels.
• Pop Culture: Discussions about anime, manga, J-pop, and Japanese fashion will frequently mention 东京 as the center of these industries.
• Business and News: In finance, technology, and international relations, 东京 is referred to by its Chinese name in all media.

The term itself carries no special positive or negative connotation; it is simply the standard, correct name for the city.

• Example 1:
  • 我明年想去东京旅游。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ míngnián xiǎng qù Dōngjīng lǚyóu.
  • English: I want to travel to Tokyo next year.
  • Analysis: A simple and very common sentence expressing a desire to travel. This is a great sentence pattern to memorize.
• Example 2:
  • 东京是日本的首都和最大的城市。
  • Pinyin: Dōngjīng shì Rìběn de shǒudū hé zuìdà de chéngshì.
  • English: Tokyo is the capital and largest city of Japan.
  • Analysis: A factual statement you might find in a textbook or hear in a documentary. Note the use of 首都 (shǒudū) for “capital city.”
• Example 3:
  • 你觉得东京和上海哪个更现代化？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ juéde Dōngjīng hé Shànghǎi nǎge gèng xiàndàihuà?
  • English: Which do you think is more modern, Tokyo or Shanghai?
  • Analysis: This sentence uses 东京 in a comparison, a common way to discuss cities and their characteristics.
• Example 4:
  • 从北京到东京的航班需要大约三个小时。
  • Pinyin: Cóng Běijīng dào Dōngjīng de hángbān xūyào dàyuē sān ge xiǎoshí.
  • English: The flight from Beijing to Tokyo takes about three hours.
  • Analysis: A practical sentence for anyone planning a trip. It shows how to describe travel between two major Asian hubs.
• Example 5:
  • 很多年轻人喜欢东京的时尚和流行文化。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō niánqīngrén xǐhuān Dōngjīng de shíshàng hé liúxíng wénhuà.
  • English: A lot of young people like Tokyo's fashion and pop culture.
  • Analysis: Highlights the city's role as a cultural center, a very common topic of conversation.
• Example 6:
  • 东京的生活成本非常高。
  • Pinyin: Dōngjīng de shēnghuó chéngběn fēicháng gāo.
  • English: The cost of living in Tokyo is very high.
  • Analysis: A common observation about major world cities. “生活成本 (shēnghuó chéngběn)” is a useful vocabulary term for “cost of living.”
• Example 7:
  • 这部动画片的背景设定在未来的东京。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù dònghuàpiàn de bèijǐng shèdìng zài wèilái de Dōngjīng.
  • English: The setting of this anime is in a future Tokyo.
  • Analysis: Shows how 东京 is used when discussing media like anime or films.
• Example 8:
  • 东京的地铁系统虽然复杂，但是非常准时。
  • Pinyin: Dōngjīng de dìtiě xìtǒng suīrán fùzá, dànshì fēicháng zhǔnshí.
  • English: Although Tokyo's subway system is complex, it is very punctual.
  • Analysis: A sentence that offers an opinion or observation, using the useful “虽然…但是…” (suīrán…dànshì…) “although…but…” structure.
• Example 9:
  • 我们公司在东京有一个分部。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī zài Dōngjīng yǒu yí ge fēnbù.
  • English: Our company has a branch office in Tokyo.
  • Analysis: A typical sentence you might hear in a business context.
• Example 10:
  • 我在东京吃到了最好吃的寿司。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zài Dōngjīng chīdào le zuì hǎochī de shòusī.
  • English: I had the most delicious sushi in Tokyo.
  • Analysis: Connects the city to its famous cuisine. Notice the use of “吃到 (chīdào),” which implies successful completion of the action of eating.

• Pattern Confusion: The most common mistake for beginners is confusing 东京 with other “capital” cities. Because the character 京 (jīng) is the same, it's easy to mix them up.
  • 东京 (Dōngjīng) - East Capital (Tokyo)
  • 北京 (Běijīng) - North Capital (Beijing)
  • 南京 (Nánjīng) - South Capital (Nanjing)
  • Incorrect: “I'm going to China's capital, Dongjing.” (Wrong, China's capital is Běijīng). Always pay attention to the first character: 东 (east), 北 (north), or 南 (south).
• Pronunciation: The tones are crucial. It's dōng (first tone) jīng (first tone). Both are high and flat. A common mistake is letting the tone drop at the end, which can make it sound like a question or a different word.
• Not a Generic Term: While 京 (jīng) means “capital,” 东京 (Dōngjīng) refers *only* to Tokyo, Japan. It is not a generic term for any “eastern capital” in a different context.

• 北京 (Běijīng) - The “Northern Capital” and current capital of China. The most important city to contrast with 东京.
• 日本 (Rìběn) - The Chinese name for Japan. Essential context for understanding where 东京 is.
• 首都 (shǒudū) - The generic term for “capital city.” For example, “东京是日本的首都。”
• 城市 (chéngshì) - The general word for “city.”
• 南京 (Nánjīng) - The “Southern Capital,” a major historical capital of China that reinforces the naming pattern.
• 旅游 (lǚyóu) - To travel; tourism. A very common verb used in sentences about Tokyo.
• 东京塔 (Dōngjīng Tǎ) - Tokyo Tower. A famous landmark, showing how the city name is used to name specific places.
• 日语 (Rìyǔ) - The Japanese language. Also known as 日文 (Rìwén).
• 上海 (Shànghǎi) - Shanghai. Another major international city often compared with Tokyo.