kyoto

IPA/kaɪˈəʊtəʊ/
KK[kjˈoto]IPA/kjˈoʊtoʊ/

kyoto — noun

1. a city in Japan, on the island of Honshu, that served as the country's capital f

1.nounB1
Definition

a city in Japan, on the island of Honshu, that served as the country's capital for more than a thousand years

Example

Mira spent a semester in Kyoto studying traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

collocation: spend + time + in Kyoto

During autumn, the temples and gardens of Kyoto draw visitors from around the world.

Common collocations
  • in Kyoto
  • to Kyoto
  • from Kyoto
  • Kyoto's temples
  • visit Kyoto
  • live in Kyoto
  • based in Kyoto

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, and Nara are all major Japanese cities with historical importance, but each has a distinct character. Kyoto was the imperial capital for over a thousand years and is famous for its classical Buddhist temples, gardens, and traditional wooden architecture. Tokyo, the current capital, is a sprawling modern metropolis. Osaka is a major economic hub known for its food culture and commercial energy. Nara, like Kyoto, was an early capital, but is smaller and best known for its giant Buddha statue and free-roaming deer. A learner should use Kyoto specifically when referring to Japan's former imperial capital and its preserved traditional heritage.

TokyoOsakaNara

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • in Kyoto
  • based in Kyoto
  • near Kyoto
  • Kyoto Prefecture

Prepositions

Etymology

JapaneseEnglish

Kyoto comes from the Japanese word 京都 (kyōto), which literally means 'capital city'. It is a combination of 京 (kyō, 'capital') and 都 (to, 'capital city'). The name was used after the city replaced Nara as the imperial capital in 794 AD.