Translation guide
Describes something related to a large city or its surrounding area. In Japanese, this is often expressed with 大都市 (metropolis) or 都会 (urban area), but the exact translation depends on context.
Describing something as characteristic of or belonging to a big city (e.g., lifestyle, atmosphere, area).
Used to modify nouns, meaning 'of a metropolis' or 'metropolitan'. Common in formal and written contexts.
大都市の生活は便利だが、物価が高い。
Metropolitan life is convenient, but the cost of living is high.
Means 'urban' or 'city' as opposed to rural. Often used for atmosphere or lifestyle. Slightly more casual than 大都市.
彼は都会の生活に憧れている。
He longs for a metropolitan lifestyle.
General term for 'city' or 'urban'. Can be used in many contexts, but less specific than 'metropolitan'.
都市の交通網は発達している。
The metropolitan transportation network is well-developed.
Referring to the geographical region comprising a large city and its suburbs.
Standard term for 'metropolitan area'. Used in geography, planning, and news.
東京大都市圏の人口は約3700万人です。
The population of the Tokyo metropolitan area is about 37 million.
Specifically means 'capital region' or 'metropolitan area around the capital'. Often used for Tokyo area.
General term for 'urban area' or 'city region'. Less common than 大都市圏 for 'metropolitan'.
Referring to the governing body of a major city, especially Tokyo.
Used in proper names like 東京都 (Tokyo Metropolis). Indicates a metropolitan prefecture-level division.
東京都は日本の首都です。
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is the capital of Japan.
Short for 東京都庁 (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office). Refers to the administrative body.
Referring to the police force of a major city, especially Tokyo.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. This is a proper noun and the standard translation.
警視庁は事件を捜査している。
The Metropolitan Police are investigating the case.
English 'metropolitan' is an adjective, but Japanese often uses noun phrases like 大都市の or 都会の. Avoid literal translations like メトロポリタン, which is rarely used outside proper names.
メトロポリタン美術館
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The metropolitan railway network is extremely complex.
This metropolitan area has many satellite cities.
The metropolitan government office is in Shinjuku.