Unpacking the Name: What Do Chinese People Call Beijing?
For many Americans, "Beijing" is the name that immediately comes to mind when thinking of China's bustling capital city. However, understanding how Chinese people refer to their capital involves a bit more nuance than a single, static label. While "Beijing" is indeed the universally recognized and most common way to refer to the city in Mandarin Chinese, the name itself has a fascinating history and has evolved over time.
The Primary Name: Beijing (北京)
In Mandarin, the official language of China, the city is called Běijīng. This name is composed of two characters:
- Běi (北): This character means "north."
- Jīng (京): This character means "capital."
So, quite literally, Běijīng translates to "Northern Capital." This is a descriptive and straightforward name that reflects its geographical location and its historical significance as a primary seat of power.
Historical Context and Name Changes
The name "Beijing" isn't ancient in its current form. The city has gone by various names throughout its long and rich history, often reflecting different dynasties and periods of rule. Understanding these shifts is key to appreciating the evolution of the capital's identity.
- Ji (薊): This was one of the earliest known names for the settlement that would eventually become Beijing, dating back to the Spring and Autumn period (771–476 BC).
- Yanjing (燕京): During the Warring States period (475–221 BC), it was known as Yanjing, the capital of the Yan state. This name, meaning "Capital of Yan," is still sometimes used today, often in literary or poetic contexts, and is recognized by many Chinese people as an older, romanticized name for the city.
- Dadu (大都): Under the Mongol Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), the city was renamed Dadu, which means "Great Capital." This was the name that Marco Polo encountered and referred to as "Cambaluc" in his writings.
- Beiping (北平): During the early years of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), after the capital was moved to Nanjing, the city was renamed Beiping, meaning "Northern Peace." However, it was later re-established as the capital by Emperor Yongle and its name reverted to Beijing.
- Peking: The name "Peking" is an older romanization of Beijing, derived from earlier pronunciations and transliteration systems. This name was widely used in the West for a long time and is still familiar to many older Americans and in historical contexts. However, with the advent of the Pinyin romanization system in the 20th century, "Beijing" became the standard, and is the official name used by the Chinese government and in international diplomacy.
Why the Different Names?
The frequent renaming of the city reflects a common practice in Chinese history where the ruling dynasty would often rename important cities, especially the capital, to assert their authority and signify a new era. It was a way of marking a fresh start and establishing their own identity for the seat of power.
Modern Usage and Familiarity
Today, Běijīng (北京) is the undisputed name for the capital in Mandarin. While older generations might still have some recognition of "Peking" due to its historical prevalence in Western media and education, "Beijing" is what you'll hear in everyday conversation, see on maps, and read in modern Chinese literature and news. The historical names like Yanjing might appear in cultural references, poetry, or when discussing the city's ancient past, but they are not how people refer to the living, breathing capital city on a daily basis.
In Summary
So, to directly answer the question: Chinese people primarily call their capital city Běijīng (北京), which translates to "Northern Capital." While historical names and older romanizations exist, Běijīng is the contemporary and universally accepted designation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you pronounce Beijing?
Beijing is pronounced "Bay-jing." The "Běi" part sounds like "bay" with a slight emphasis on the tone, and "jīng" sounds like "jing" as in "jingle," with a rising tone.
Why is it sometimes called Peking?
Peking is an older romanization of Beijing. It was the name commonly used in the West before the widespread adoption of the Pinyin system, which standardized Chinese transliteration.
Are there other important names for Beijing?
Historically, the city has been known by names such as Dadu (under the Yuan Dynasty) and Yanjing (an older name). Yanjing is sometimes still used in literary or poetic contexts, but it's not the everyday name.
What does the name "Beijing" signify?
The name Beijing literally means "Northern Capital," reflecting its geographical location and its long-standing role as the administrative and political center of China.
Is Beijing always the capital?
No, the capital of China has moved throughout history. While Beijing has been a capital for many dynasties, other cities like Nanjing have also served as the capital at different times.
