noun HSK 4
Traditional 市區
urban district · city center · downtown area · municipal district
Meaning
市区 refers to the central, built-up area of a city where most commercial, administrative, and residential activities are concentrated. It contrasts with suburban or rural areas (郊区). The term literally combines 'city' (市) and 'district/area' (区).
Usage
Commonly used when discussing location, transportation, or distinguishing between city center and outskirts. Often appears in contexts like 'living in the city center' (住在市区) or 'going downtown' (去市区). Native speakers use it to indicate the main, developed part of a city as opposed to suburbs.
Examples
- 01我家在市区，上班很方便。, .My home is in the city center, so commuting to work is very convenient.
- 02周末市区的交通特别拥挤。.Traffic in the downtown area is especially congested on weekends.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个市区
Common collocations
- 住在市区to live in the city center
- 市区交通downtown traffic
- 进市区to enter downtown
- 离市区很远far from downtown
Antonyms
Origin
Compound word combining 市 (city/municipality) and 区 (district/zone), straightforwardly indicating the district or area that constitutes the city proper.