直轄市（zhí xiá shì）

Pronunciation: /zhí xiá shì/

Basic Meaning: Direct-administered city

Detailed Explanation: A direct-administered city refers to a city in China that is directly controlled by the central government and has equal status to a province. Currently, there are four direct-administered cities in China: Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Chongqing. These cities have significant political, economic, and cultural importance in China.

Usage Scenarios: The term "直轄市" is mainly used in official and formal contexts, such as government documents, news reports, and academic discussions.

Story Origin: The establishment of direct-administered cities in China can be traced back to the 1950s when the Chinese government implemented administrative reforms to strengthen central control and improve governance efficiency.

Structure of the Idiom: 直 (zhí) means "direct" or "straight," 轄 (xiá) means "administer," and 市 (shì) means "city."

Example Sentences:

1. 北京是中國的直轄市，也是中國的首都。

(Běijīng shì zhōngguó de zhí xiá shì, yě shì zhōngguó de shǒudū.)

Beijing is a direct-administered city in China, and it is also the capital of China.

2. 上海是中國最大的直轄市之一，擁有繁榮的經濟和多元文化。

(Shànghǎi shì zhōngguó zuìdà de zhí xiá shì zhī yī, yǒngyǒu fánróng de jīngjì hé duōyuán wénhuà.)

Shanghai is one of the largest direct-administered cities in China, with a prosperous economy and diverse culture.

Memory Techniques: To remember the term "直轄市," you can break it down into its individual characters and associate them with their meanings. For example, 直 (zhí) can be associated with a straight road, indicating direct control, 轄 (xiá) can be associated with a person in charge, indicating administration, and 市 (shì) can be associated with a city. Visualizing these associations can help in remembering the term.

Extended Learning: To further understand the concept of direct-administered cities in China, you can study the administrative divisions and governance structures of these cities, as well as their historical and cultural significance. Additionally, you can explore the economic development and urban planning of these cities to gain a comprehensive understanding of their importance in China's development.

Example Sentences from Different Age Groups:

1. Children (age 8-12): 北京是中國的直轄市，我想去看長城和故宮。

(Běijīng shì zhōngguó de zhí xiá shì, wǒ xiǎng qù kàn cháng chéng hé gù gōng.)

Beijing is a direct-administered city in China, and I want to visit the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.

2. Teenagers (age 13-18): 上海是一個國際化的直轄市，我夢想去那里讀大學。

(Shànghǎi shì yīgè guójìhuà de zhí xiá shì, wǒ mèngxiǎng qù nàlǐ dú dàxué.)

Shanghai is an international direct-administered city, and I dream of going there to study at university.

3. Adults (age 30+): 我在天津生活了十年，喜歡這個直轄市的繁華和文化氛圍。

(Wǒ zài tiānjīn shēnghuó le shí nián, xǐhuān zhège zhí xiá shì de fánhuá hé wénhuà fēnwéi.)

I have lived in Tianjin for ten years and enjoy the prosperity and cultural atmosphere of this direct-administered city.