市
shi[it͡ɕi]compound
The English word 'city' can be translated into Japanese using several terms depending on the context, with 市 (shi) being the default administrative form. Wiktionary also lists 都市 (toshi) and 都会 (tokai).
Meaning: large settlement (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 市 | shi | [it͡ɕi] (narrow) | compound |
| 都市 | toshi | [to̞ɕi] (narrow) | |
| 都会 | tokai | [to̞ka̠i] (narrow) | |
| 町 | machi | [ma̠t͡ɕi] (narrow) |
For technical, sociological or geographical discussions, such as describing an 'industrial city', 都市 is the appropriate term. When referring to a specific administrative city unit within the Japanese government hierarchy, use 市. For smaller towns or specific neighborhoods, use 町.
Which one should you use?
都市 refers to a city in a technical sense. 市 is used for the formal administrative unit. 町 typically refers to a smaller town or a specific district/neighborhood within a larger area.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The term 市 is often used as a compound element in other words.
How do you pronounce it?
shi
Did you know?
- While 市 is used for administrative cities today, its ancient roots lie in the term 'market', which was used for periodic trading centers in early Japan.
- The term 都会 is often used to describe 'metropolitan' life, carrying a nuance of being 'bustling' or 'busy' that goes beyond simple size.
- In Japan, the administrative unit 市 defines a city's legal status, meaning a town cannot call itself a 市 until it meets specific population and infrastructure requirements.
Examples in context
- 工業都市です。It is an industrial city.This sentence uses 都市 to describe an industrial city.Tatoeba #11623782 by small_snow, translation #10228147 by sundown
- 市内に行こうよ。Let's go in the city.This sentence uses 市 to refer to being inside the city.Tatoeba #11588484 by small_snow, translation #10119582 by sundown
- 町は霧に包まれた。The city was wrapped in fog.This sentence uses 町 to describe a town wrapped in fog.Tatoeba #126104 by small_snow, translation #277887 by CM
- 東京は大きな都市です。Tokyo is a large city.
- 京都は美しい町です。Kyoto is a beautiful city.
- 今度、大阪の街に行ってみたい。I want to visit the city of Osaka next time.
- 那覇市は日本の南側に位置しています。Naha City is located in the southern part of Japan.
- 318 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are discussing where to move.
- 健太 Kentaどの市に住みたいですか？dono shi ni sumitai desu ka?Which city do you want to live in?
- 美咲 Misaki静かな市がいいです。shizuka na shi ga ii desu.I want a quiet city.
- 健太 Kenta大きな市は忙しいですからね。ookina shi wa isogashii desu kara ne.Large cities are busy, aren't they?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、だから小さい市を探しています。hai, dakara chiisai shi o sagashite imasu.Yes, that's why I'm looking for a small city.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “city” translations and entries 市, 都市, 都会, 町, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
