nanjing
C2Formal, Academic, Historical
Definition
Meaning
A major city in eastern China, the capital of Jiangsu province.
Used to refer to historical events, treaties, or cultural items associated with the city (e.g., the Nanjing Massacre, the Treaty of Nanjing, Nanjing-style cuisine).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a proper noun (toponym). Its usage extends to modifier form (e.g., Nanjing government, Nanjing dialect) in historical and geopolitical contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. The spelling 'Nanking' is an older romanization seen in historical texts (e.g., Treaty of Nanking).
Connotations
In historical/academic contexts, 'Nanking' may be used specifically for pre-20th century references, while 'Nanjing' is modern Pinyin. No negative/positive connotation inherent to the name itself.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties, tied to discussions of Chinese history, geography, or current affairs.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[City/Proper Noun][modifier] + Nanjing (e.g., occupied Nanjing)Nanjing + [noun] (e.g., Nanjing duck)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referencing the Nanjing market or business environment (e.g., 'Our Nanjing office handles East China operations').
Academic
Central to studies of modern Chinese history, Sino-foreign relations, and WWII history.
Everyday
Used in travel contexts or general discussions about China (e.g., 'I'm flying to Nanjing next week').
Technical
In historical scholarship, precise use of 'Nanking' vs. 'Nanjing' may indicate period focus.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The Nanking cherry is a different species altogether.
American English
- The Nanking cherry tree blooms early.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Nanjing is a big city in China.
- We visited Nanjing and saw the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum.
- The Treaty of Nanjing in 1842 marked the end of the First Opium War.
- Historical scholarship on the Nanjing Massacre remains a complex and sensitive field of study.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
NAN + JING: Think of a 'NAN' (person) who is a 'KING' in the southern part of China.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CITY AS A HISTORICAL WITNESS (e.g., 'Nanjing bears the scars of its past').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating the name. Use 'Нанкин' (older) or 'Наньцзин' (modern Pinyin-based). It is not 'Южная столица' in normal reference.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it as 'Nan-jing' with a hard 'j' (should be /dʒɪŋ/).
- Misspelling as 'Nanging' or 'Nanjin'.
- Using 'Nanking' in contemporary non-historical contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the spelling 'Nanking' most appropriately used today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Nanjing' is the modern Pinyin romanization. 'Nanking' is an older postal romanization. The latter is typically used in historical contexts (e.g., Treaty of Nanking).
No. Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu Province. It was the capital of China at various points in history (e.g., during the Republic of China era). Beijing is the current capital.
In British English: /ˌnænˈdʒɪŋ/ (nan-JING). In American English: /ˌnɑːnˈdʒɪŋ/ (nahn-JING). The 'j' is soft, like in 'jump'.
It is known as a former national capital, for the 1842 Treaty of Nanjing, and for the Nanjing Massacre (1937) during the Second Sino-Japanese War.