Chinese

edit
devil
metropolis; capital city; all
metropolis; capital city; all; both (if two things are involved); entirely; even; already
 
trad. (魔都)
simp. #(魔都)

Etymology

edit

Originated from Shōfu Muramatsu's novel Mato (“魔都”, 1924). Its title was a reference to Shanghai, which was then prosperous but plagued by vices and crimes. This term was repopularized in China circa 2000.

Pronunciation

edit

Proper noun

edit

魔都

  1. (neologism, slang) Shanghai

See also

edit
  • 帝都 (dìdū, “Beijing”)
  • 妖都 (Yāodū, “Guangzhou”)