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March 24, 2026
首都shǒudū(shou3du1)
首都 (shǒudū) refers to the capital city of a country or region, where the government is typically located. It is commonly used in discussions about politics, geography, and travel, and highlights the significance of a city as a center of administration and culture.
Frequency#5968DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the capital city often holds historical and political significance. For example, Beijing, as the capital, is not only the political center but also rich in cultural heritage, with landmarks like the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'show' (sounds like 'shou') where the 'dukes' (sounds like 'du') of the land gather to make important decisions. The 'show' takes place in the capital city, the '首都' where all the power resides.
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AI Study Notes for 首都
Quick Contrast
省会 (shěnghuì) - use 首都 when referring to the capital of a country, while 省会 specifically refers to the capital of a province.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'show' (sounds like 'shou') where the 'dukes' (sounds like 'du') of the land gather to make important decisions. The 'show' takes place in the capital city, the '首都' where all the power resides.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse '首都' with '城市' (city), as they refer to different concepts. '首都' specifically means capital city, usually in a formal context. Common collocations include '国家的首都' (national capital) and '省会' (provincial capital).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 4 word, '首都' is often encountered in geography and social studies contexts. Students should focus on using it in sentences related to political discussions or when describing geographical locations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the capital city often holds historical and political significance. For example, Beijing, as the capital, is not only the political center but also rich in cultural heritage, with landmarks like the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use '城市' (city) instead of '首都' when referring to the capital. For example, saying '北京是中国的城市' (Beijing is China's city) is incorrect; the correct phrase is '北京是中国的首都' (Beijing is China's capital).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 首都
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Grammar Patterns of 首都
首都 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
About a thousand students fought with riot police in the capital.
Cultural Notes for 首都
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the capital city often holds historical and political significance. For example, Beijing, as the capital, is not only the political center but also rich in cultural heritage, with landmarks like the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
Frequently Asked Questions about 首都
'首都' refers to the capital of a country, while '省会' refers to the capital of a province.
No, '首都' specifically refers to the capital city, not just any city.
Yes, '首都' is commonly used in formal discussions about geography and politics.
