pui4 dou1陪都
Jyutpingpui4 dou1
Yalepùih dōu
Definition
An auxiliary capital established by a country in addition to its main capital, or a temporary capital.
writtenplaces
How it's used
This term is primarily used in historical contexts to describe cities that served as secondary capitals during times of war or political instability. It carries a formal, academic tone and is rarely encountered in casual daily conversation. It specifically refers to an auxiliary capital rather than a permanent seat of power.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The wartime government once moved to the provisional capital to work.
Do you know which city once served as a provisional capital?
Related words
Common phrases
establish a provisional capital
move to the provisional capital
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 首都, which refers to the primary, permanent capital city. Using it to describe a modern city that is simply a secondary administrative hub is incorrect, as it implies a specific historical or wartime status.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
