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帝都 (ていと) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
imperial capital
Refers specifically to the capital city of an empire, often used in historical or formal contexts. In modern Japanese, it is strongly associated with Tokyo during the pre-war period when Japan was an empire.
Kanji 帝 sovereign, the emperor, god 都 metropolis, capital, all Similar words 首しゅ 都と 首都 is the general term for 'capital city' of any country, while 帝都 specifically means 'imperial capital' and carries historical or imperial connotations.
都みやこ 都 is a more poetic or traditional word for 'capital', often used in classical contexts, whereas 帝都 explicitly includes the notion of an emperor.
Etymology Compound of 帝 (てい, 'emperor') and 都 (と, 'capital'). The word has been used historically to refer to the capital of an empire, and in Japan it became a common designation for Tokyo during the Meiji to early Showa periods.
もの
語がたり
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This novel is a historical tale set in the imperial capital.
