北京 (Běijīng): Beijing (capital of China)

Meanings

1 Beijing (capital of China)

Characters

北

Literally 'northern capital', contrasting with 南京 Nánjīng ('southern capital')

Examples

我住在北京。

Wǒ zhù zài Běijīng.

I live in Beijing.

北京很大。

Běijīng hěn dà.

Beijing is very big.

你去过北京吗？

Nǐ qù guo Běijīng ma?

Have you been to Beijing?

Tips

culture

Beijing has been China's capital for most of the last 800 years, since the Yuan Dynasty (1271).

history

Before 1403, Beijing was called 北平 Běipíng ('northern peace'). The name was briefly restored from 1928–1949.

In Pop Culture

北京烤鸭 Běijīng kǎoyā

Beijing roast duck

One of China's most famous dishes, dating back to the imperial era

北京大学 Běijīng Dàxué

Peking University

China's most prestigious university, often called 北大 Běidà

Stroke Order

北 běi

京 jīng

Related Words

北 běi HSK 1 #2,399

north

北边 běibiān HSK 1 #7,752

north side / to the north

北方 běifāng HSK 2 #5,468

the north / northern China

北极 běijí HSK 5 #8,338

the North Pole / the Arctic

北部 běibù HSK 3 #6,059

northern part / the north

西北 xīběi HSK 2 #7,777

northwest / Northwest China

京 jīng #6,210

capital city / (short for) Beijing

东北 dōngběi HSK 2 #9,416

northeast / Northeast China

东京 Dōngjīng #3,877

Tokyo (capital of Japan)

北美 Běiměi #9,212

North America