市街
Refers to the built-up urban area or the streets of a city or town where buildings and businesses are concentrated. It is used to describe the city center or the commercial and residential hub as opposed to the outskirts.
Examples
3 of 5バスで市街を観光しました。
I went sightseeing through the city area by bus.
市街の再開発計画が発表されました。
The redevelopment plan for the urban area was announced.
市街に行けば、美味しいお店がたくさんあるよ。
If you go into the city area, there are lots of delicious restaurants.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Shi' as City and 'Gai' as Street. Together they describe the 'City Streets' or the urban zone.
Quick Quiz
駅から( )を抜けると、広い公園があります。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 市街
Examples
バスで市街を観光しました。
everydayI went sightseeing through the city area by bus.
市街の再開発計画が発表されました。
formalThe redevelopment plan for the urban area was announced.
市街に行けば、美味しいお店がたくさんあるよ。
informalIf you go into the city area, there are lots of delicious restaurants.
市街における人口密度の変化を調査する。
academicWe will investigate the change in population density within the urban area.
弊社の店舗は市街の中心部に位置しております。
businessOur store is located in the central part of the city area.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
市街戦
urban warfare / street fighting
市街地走行
city driving
市街の灯
city lights
Often Confused With
Tokai refers to a big city as a general concept, while Shigai refers specifically to the built-up streets and urban physical area.
Machi is a broader, more common word for town or neighborhood; Shigai is more formal and technical.
Usage Notes
It is more formal than 'machi' and is commonly found in news reports, maps, or documents describing urban planning or geographical zones.
Common Mistakes
Beginning learners often use 'machi' for everything; use 'shigai' when you want to sound more precise about the commercial/urban district itself.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Shi' as City and 'Gai' as Street. Together they describe the 'City Streets' or the urban zone.
Word Origin
Derived from Middle Chinese: 'Shi' (market/city) and 'Gai' (street/avenue).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Japan, 'shigai' usually refers to the dense areas around major railway stations where department stores and shops are clustered.
Quick Quiz
駅から( )を抜けると、広い公園があります。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 市街
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
仮説
B1仮説とは、ある現象を説明するために、真偽はともかくとして、とりあえず設定した仮の答えのことです。科学的方法の出発点となり、実験や観察によって検証される必要があります。
保護
A1The act of keeping someone or something safe from harm, damage, or loss by providing care or creating boundaries. It is a versatile term in Japanese used for social welfare, environmental conservation, and digital security.
革命
A1A fundamental and sudden change in political power or social structure, often involving a shift in governance. It also refers to a major, transformative shift in technology, thought, or a specific field that completely alters how things are done.
拡大
A1The act of making something larger in size, scale, or scope. It is frequently used for physical enlargement (like a photo) or abstract growth (like a business or a problem).
販売
A1The act of selling goods or services to customers, typically within a commercial or professional context. It refers to the business process of making items available for purchase.
取引
A1A transaction or business deal involving the exchange of money, goods, or services. It refers to the process of doing business with another party or making a trade.
貯金
A1The act of saving money or the amount of money saved, typically in a bank or a piggy bank. It refers to setting aside funds for future use rather than spending them immediately.
借金
A1A sum of money that is borrowed from a person or an institution and is expected to be paid back. It refers to the state of owing money or the specific amount of debt accumulated.
利益
A1Refers to the financial profit a company or individual makes after deducting expenses. It also describes a general benefit, advantage, or gain that someone receives from a situation or action.
損失
A1A formal noun referring to the loss of something valuable, such as money, property, or time. It is commonly used in business or serious contexts to describe a reduction in value or a disadvantageous outcome.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free