Translation guide
A very large, important city, often the main city of a country or region. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through several words that differ in nuance, formality, and usage.
To refer to a major city, especially one that is a center of culture, economy, or politics.
The most direct and common translation for 'metropolis'. It literally means 'big city' and is used in both spoken and written Japanese.
東京は世界有数の大都市です。
Tokyo is one of the world's leading metropolises.
大都市では生活費が高い。
The cost of living is high in a metropolis.
Refers to an urban area or city, often with a nuance of bustling city life. It contrasts with countryside (田舎). Less formal than 大都市.
彼は都会の生活に憧れている。
He longs for life in the metropolis.
A direct loanword from English. Used mainly in proper names (e.g., 'Metropolis' in fiction) or in very specific contexts. Not commonly used in everyday conversation.
映画『メトロポリス』は1927年の作品です。
The film 'Metropolis' is a 1927 work.
To emphasize the political or administrative importance of a city, often the capital.
Means 'capital city'. Use this when 'metropolis' implies the capital of a country.
ロンドンはイギリスの首都です。
London is the metropolis of the United Kingdom.
An older, more literary term for 'capital' or 'metropolis', often used in historical contexts or poetic language.
To describe a vast, continuously built-up area that may include multiple cities.
Literally 'giant city'. Emphasizes the enormous scale of the metropolis.
東京は巨大都市へと成長した。
Tokyo grew into a sprawling metropolis.
Loanword 'megacity'. Used in urban studies or journalism to describe cities with over 10 million inhabitants.
メガシティの交通問題は深刻だ。
Traffic problems in a metropolis are serious.
大都市 is a neutral, factual term for a large city. 都会 carries a nuance of urban sophistication and is often used in contrast to rural areas. Use 大都市 in formal writing and 都会 in casual conversation about city life.
大都市の人口密度は高い。
The population density of a metropolis is high.
都会に出てきたばかりで、まだ慣れない。
I just moved to the metropolis and I'm still not used to it.
The English word 'metropolis' is not commonly used in everyday Japanese. The loanword メトロポリス is almost exclusively used in proper names or artistic titles. In most cases, use 大都市 or a more specific term.
Ancient Kyoto was the metropolis for a thousand years.