the capital city vs the capital

Both 'the capital city' and 'the capital' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'The capital city' refers to the main city of a country or region where the government is located, while 'the capital' can be used as a shorthand for 'the capital city' or to refer to the seat of government in a broader sense.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 1342 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to the main city of a country or region where the government is located.

"the capital city"

Use 'the capital city' when referring to the main city of a country or region where the government is located. It is often used in contexts discussing politics, geography, or travel.

Examples:

London is the capital city of the United Kingdom.
Paris is known as the capital city of France.
Tokyo is the capital city of Japan.

Show examples from the web [+]

These African students are doing their homework under streetlights at the airport in the capital city because they don't have any electricity at home.
They will not be concentrated in the capital city which is chosen as the Institute's headquarters.
People disappear even in the capital city, Moscow, or in St Petersburg, as has happened during the past year.
While the unemployment rate in the capital city of Latvia (Riga) is 8-9%, in Latgale it is 20-25%.
Mr President, I cannot resist starting by saying it is well-known that my Irish colleague across the way lives in the capital city of Dublin where these sites will not be troubling her too much.
The Authority has, in addition, taken into consideration the rulings of the Committee on Compensation for Expropriation under Act 11/1973, concerning land in the neighborhood of the capital city and in the Reykjanes area.
This is due in particular to the averaging of data in regions in which the level of economic development of the capital city is clearly higher than that of other areas in the region.
Finally, as the Member of the European Parliament representing Cardiff, I am immensely proud that the European summit is being held in the capital city of Wales.
Recently there was a proposal to prohibit smoking in public places, when at the same time, in the centre of the capital city, you can buy thousands of packets of contraband cigarettes.
What steps will the Commission take to prevent a local authority monopoly being established in the capital city of a Member State as far as the performing arts are concerned?
As part of the EU's support for a series of confidence-building measures in Georgia, the European Union shall also provide a contribution to host an informal JCC meeting in Brussels or in the capital city of the Member State exercising the Council Presidency.
Mr President, last Saturday, I was privileged to be at the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales where I come from and Wales actually won!
In the light of the above information, a number of questions arise concerning the quality of the water consumed by the inhabitants of the capital city, i.e. half the population of Greece, since effluent and drained water of unknown quality are polluting the River Mornos.
Our security police have completed their initial sweep of the capital city.
You see, Kandor was the capital city of the planet Krypton.
You've pulled your forces back from taking the capital city.
We're almost in Peking, the capital city of China.
Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia.
Canberra is the capital city of Australia.
Kinshasa is the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Alternatives:

the national capital
the seat of government
the political capital
the governmental center
the administrative capital

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, but it can have a broader meaning than 'the capital city.' It can refer to the seat of government in a general sense.

"the capital"

Use 'the capital' when referring to the main city where the government of a country or region is located. It can also be used more broadly to refer to the center of government or political power.

Examples:

Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States.
The capital of France is Paris.
The capital of Japan is Tokyo.

Show examples from the web [+]

We need the capital to buy those arctic leases.
the capital instruments are considered State aid by the Commission;
Schemes for involving the staff in the capital of the issuer.
Indication of the principal holders of the capital.
The construction budget includes the capital investment for 16 instruments.
Thus the capital relief effect should be adequately remunerated.
My friend John Floyd works with Windy at the capital now.
It's the capital of Connecticut.
Send an advanced guard to the capital.
They might not have talked to you about the capital contribution.
Gatlin is like the capital of caster America.
These men from the capital requested our assistance.
I fear for their longevity if they remain in the capital.
I am glad your new friend was able to accompany you to the capital.
Littlefinger is not long for the capital.
I'm asking you to leave because your presence in the capital endangers him.
The food or the capital spent on keeping Kane happy.
This guy has the capital, and he's motivated.
This guy has the capital, and he's motivated.
My income is generous but I cannot touch the capital.

Alternatives:

the seat of government
the political center
the governmental capital
the administrative center
the political capital

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the capital city vs the capital

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