京都
Kyōto[kʲo̞ːto̞]
Kyoto is the name of the city in Japan, written as 京都 (Kyōto) in Japanese. Wiktionary also lists 京都府 (Kyōto-fu) and 京都市 (Kyōto-shi).
Meaning: Kyōto, Japan (name)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 京都 | Kyōto | [kʲo̞ːto̞] (narrow) |
| 京都府 | Kyōto-fu | [kʲo̞ːto̞ɸɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 京都市 | Kyōto-shi |
京都 is the general name used for the city or the area. The expression 京の都 can be used to refer specifically to the 'Capital City of Kyoto'.
What does it mean word for word?
The name 京都 literally means 'capital city', and it is composed of the characters for 'capital' (京) and 'city/town' (都).
Which one should you use?
In contrast, 京都府 (Kyōto-fu) refers specifically to the Kyoto Prefecture, while 京都市 (Kyōto-shi) is the specific administrative designation for Kyoto City, typically used in formal or official contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing movement toward Kyoto, the particle に or へ is added after 京都. When expressing an action occurring within Kyoto, the particle で is used after 京都.
How do you pronounce it?
Kyōto
Did you know?
- Because 京都 literally means 'capital', Japanese people often use the word 京 (Kyō) as a poetic prefix to describe things from the city, such as 京野菜 (Kyō-yasai) for traditional Kyoto vegetables.
- While 京都 means 'capital city', the current capital is Tokyo. In Japanese, Tokyo is written as 東京, which means 'Eastern Capital', a name adopted when the seat of government moved from 京都.
- The word 京都 shares the exact same characters as the Chinese word for 'capital city', meaning the written name is a direct linguistic link to Middle Chinese.
Examples in context
- 京都生まれです。I was born in Kyoto.This sentence shows the use of 京都 to indicate a place of birth.Tatoeba #13136009 by small_snow, translation #256896 by CN
- 私は、京都に行く。I go to Kyoto.This sentence shows movement toward 京都.Tatoeba #162281 by KK_kaku_, translation #252233 by CN
- 京都はいかがですか。How do you like Kyoto?This sentence shows a way to ask someone's opinion about 京都.Tatoeba #181643 by KK_kaku_, translation #19304 by CN
- 京都に行く予定です。I'm planning to go to Kyoto.
- 京都は日本の文化の中心地です。Kyoto is the cultural heart of Japan.
- 101 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their next vacation.
- 結衣 Yui次の休みは京都に行きたいです。Tsugi no yasumi wa Kyōto ni ikitai desu.I want to go to Kyoto during the next break.
- 健太 Kentaいいですね。京都で何をしたいですか。Ii desu ne. Kyōto de nani o shitai desu ka.That sounds nice. What do you want to do in Kyoto?
- 結衣 Yui京都のお寺をたくさん見たいです。Kyōto no otera o takusan mitai desu.I want to see many temples in Kyoto.
- 健太 Kentaいいですね。一緒に行きましょう。Ii desu ne. Issho ni ikimashō.That's great. Let's go together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kyoto” translations and entries 京都, 京都府, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 京都, 京都府, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
