Meaning
都市 refers to a large city or metropolitan area, emphasizing the urban, modern, and developed characteristics. It typically implies a bustling, cosmopolitan environment with high population density and modern infrastructure. The word is more formal and literary than 城市 (chéng shì), often used in written contexts or when emphasizing the modernity and sophistication of urban life.
Usage
都市 is commonly used in formal writing, news media, and when discussing urban culture, lifestyle, or planning. It appears frequently in compounds like 都市生活 (urban life) and 都市化 (urbanization). While 城市 is more neutral and common in everyday speech, 都市 carries connotations of modernity, fashion, and cosmopolitan culture.
Examples
- 01上海是中国最国际化的都市之一。.Shanghai is one of China's most international metropolises.
- 02她厌倦了都市生活的快节奏，决定搬到乡下去。, .She got tired of the fast pace of urban life and decided to move to the countryside.
Characters
Measure words
- 座一座现代化都市
- 个几个大都市
Common collocations
- 都市生活urban life
- 都市化urbanization
- 现代都市modern metropolis
- 都市女性urban women, city women
Antonyms
Origin
都 originally meant 'capital city' in classical Chinese, while 市 referred to a marketplace or trading area. Together, they emphasize the concentration of political, economic, and cultural activity characteristic of major urban centers.