Learn a Chinese Character - 京

1. Character Basics

Radical: 亠/tóu (lid radical)

Stroke Count: 8

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: jīng (first tone)

3. Meaning

Capital city, Beijing

4. Common Words

• 北京 (Běi jīng) - Beijing (capital of China)
• 京剧 (jīng jù) - Peking Opera
• 京都 (jīng dū) - capital city
• 京城 (jīng chéng) - capital city
• 京味儿 (jīng wèir) - Beijing style or flavor
• 京广铁路 (Jīng-Guǎng tiě lù) - Beijing-Guangzhou Railway

5. Grammar & Usage

Part of Speech: Mainly used as a noun

Usage Patterns:

• 京 + Noun: 京剧 (jīng jù) - Peking Opera, 京城 (jīng chéng) - capital city
• 地名 + 京: 北京 (Běi jīng) - Beijing, 东京 (Dōng jīng) - Tokyo
• 专有名词: 京广线 (Jīng-Guǎng xiàn) - Beijing-Guangzhou Railway Line

Note: When used in compound words, "京" often retains its original meaning related to capital cities or has a historical or cultural connotation.

6. Cultural Background

Historical Significance: "京" has been used to refer to capital cities in China for thousands of years. In ancient times, it denoted the political and cultural center of a kingdom or empire.

Beijing Culture: As the capital of China for centuries, Beijing has developed a unique cultural identity, including its own dialect, cuisine, and performing arts like Peking Opera.

Modern Usage: Today, "京" is most commonly associated with Beijing, China's capital and one of the world's most populous cities, which serves as the country's political, educational, and cultural center.

Symbolism: The character "京" often symbolizes authority, tradition, and cultural heritage in Chinese society.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

Character Breakdown: "京" is composed of "亠" (tóu, lid radical) at the top, with "口" (kǒu, mouth) and "小" (xiǎo, small) below it.

Visual Association: Imagine a grand capital city with walls (represented by the top part) surrounding important buildings (represented by the lower parts).

Mnemonic Device: Remember that "京" looks a bit like a simplified drawing of a traditional Chinese city with walls and buildings inside.

Cultural Connection: Associate the character with famous landmarks in Beijing, such as the Forbidden City or the Great Wall, to help remember its meaning as "capital city" or "Beijing."