直辖市 (zhíxiáshì) refers to a direct-controlled municipality in China, which is a city that has the same administrative status as a province. These municipalities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, are directly governed by the central government and play significant roles in the nation's political, economic, and cultural landscape.
HSK 7, 24 strokes, Hard
zhíxiáshì(zhi2xia2shi4) T2
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May 27, 2026
直辖市zhíxiáshì(zhi2xia2shi4)
直辖市 (zhíxiáshì) refers to a direct-controlled municipality in China, which is a city that has the same administrative status as a province. These municipalities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, are directly governed by the central government and play significant roles in the nation's political, economic, and cultural landscape.
Strokes24Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of 直辖市 reflects China's centralized governance structure, showcasing the importance of major cities in national administration and development, and highlighting the unique status of cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin in Chinese history.
Memory Tip
Imagine a city that is so important that it doesn't just belong to a province but stands alone like a king ruling from a throne. The character 直 (zhí) looks like a straight line, symbolizing direct control, while 县 (xià) represents a level of governance, and 市 (shì) signifies a market or city.
About 直辖市
直辖市Simplified
24Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 直辖市
Podcast: 直辖市
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AI Study Notes for 直辖市
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a city that is so important that it doesn't just belong to a province but stands alone like a king ruling from a throne. The character 直 (zhí) looks like a straight line, symbolizing direct control, while 县 (xià) represents a level of governance, and 市 (shì) signifies a market or city.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 直辖市 with other administrative divisions like 省 (shěng, province) or 县 (xiàn, county). This term is formal and is used in governmental and academic contexts. Be careful with the tones; mispronouncing 直 (zhí) can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK 7, focus on understanding administrative terms and their implications in Chinese governance. This term connects to other vocabulary related to geography and politics, such as 省 (shěng) and 市 (shì).
Cultural Note
The concept of 直辖市 reflects China's centralized governance structure, showcasing the importance of major cities in national administration and development, and highlighting the unique status of cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin in Chinese history.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 直辖市 with other urban terms; for example, using 市 (shì) alone to describe a city can be misleading without the context of its administrative status. Always clarify that 直辖市 indicates direct governance by the central government.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 直辖市
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Cultural Notes for 直辖市
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of 直辖市 reflects China's centralized governance structure, showcasing the importance of major cities in national administration and development, and highlighting the unique status of cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin in Chinese history.
Frequently Asked Questions about 直辖市
Examples of 直辖市 include Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Chongqing.
A 直辖市 is directly controlled by the central government, while provinces have their own local governments.
Yes, many countries have similar administrative divisions, like Washington D.C. in the United States.
