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March 24, 2026
京Jīng(Jing1)
The character 京 (jīng) primarily refers to the capital city of a country, most commonly used as an abbreviation for Beijing, China's capital. It can also denote a large number in algebraic contexts or represent the Jing ethnic minority. In everyday language, it conveys the idea of significance or prominence associated with capital cities.
Strokes8Radical亠Frequency#6210DifficultyHard
Cultural note
京, as in Beijing, is central to Chinese culture, serving as a hub for politics, culture, and history. The phrase '京城' (capital city) embodies the historical significance of Beijing as the heart of China.
Memory tip
Imagine a giant 'J' that stands tall like a skyscraper in a city (representing Beijing) to remember '京' (jīng). The radical '亠' (lid) on top suggests something important is contained underneath, symbolizing the capital's status.
Meanings of 京
Jīng(Jing1)
1Jing ethnic minority
2capital city of a country
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About 京
京Simplified
8Strokes
亠Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#6210Frequency Rank
Podcast: 京
Podcast: 京
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AI study notes for 京
Usage Notes
京 is often used in formal contexts, especially when discussing cities or demographics. Learners may confuse it with other characters that sound similar, so pay attention to tones. Common collocations include 北京 (Beijing) and 京剧 (Peking opera).
HSK Study Tips
京 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists but connects with other geographical terms and city names. Focus on its usage in discussing locations and cultural elements related to Beijing.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 京 with similar characters like 景 (jǐng, meaning scenery) due to pronunciation. It's important to remember that 京 specifically relates to capitals and significance, while 景 refers to visuals or landscapes.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 京
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Learning Lab
Knowing 京 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Explanation
Pictograph of a tall building. Similar to 高. Based on the original meaning "high place". The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "capital city".
The character 京 (jīng) primarily refers to the capital city of a country, most commonly used as an abbreviation for Beijing, China's capital. It can also denote a large number in algebraic contexts or represent the Jing ethnic minority. In everyday language, it conveys the idea of significance or prominence associated with capital cities.
When to use 京
京 is often used in formal contexts, especially when discussing cities or demographics. Learners may confuse it with other characters that sound similar, so pay attention to tones. Common collocations include 北京 (Beijing) and 京剧 (Peking opera).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 京 with similar characters like 景 (jǐng, meaning scenery) due to pronunciation. It's important to remember that 京 specifically relates to capitals and significance, while 景 refers to visuals or landscapes.
Write 京
京
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Grammar patterns of 京
京 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 8 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.
