A very large and important city that is often the political, economic, and cultural center of a country or region.
example
New York gilt als eine der wichtigsten Metropolen der Welt.
New York is considered one of the most important metropolises in the world.
Usage tips
Typical adjectives
'Metropole' (metropolis) is often combined with adjectives that emphasize its liveliness and size. Common examples are 'pulsierend' (vibrant), 'international' (international), 'modern' (modern), or 'kulturell' (cultural).
EXAMPLE
Berlin ist eine pulsierende Metropole mit einer reichen Geschichte.
Berlin is a vibrant metropolis with a rich history.
Sentence structure with genitive
To describe what a city is known for, 'Metropole' (metropolis) is often used with a genitive or a 'von' construction. This emphasizes the city's special character.
EXAMPLE
Paris gilt als die Metropole der Mode.
Paris is considered the metropolis of fashion.
Elevated style
The word 'Metropole' (metropolis) belongs more to written language, for example in newspapers or travel guides. It sounds more formal and impressive than the word 'Großstadt' (large city).
EXAMPLE
Die Zeitung beschrieb Tokio als eine faszinierende Metropole.
The newspaper described Tokyo as a fascinating metropolis.
Compare with
near_synonym · confusable
Metropole vs Stadt
city
'die Stadt' and 'die Metropole' both refer to a large built-up place. 'Stadt' is neutral and general. A city or town can be small, medium-sized, or large. 'Metropole' is used only for a very large and important city, often with a lot of business, culture, or politics. The words can be confused because every metropolis is a city. But not every city is a metropolis. If you simply mean the place, 'Stadt' is normal; if you want to emphasize size and importance, 'Metropole' fits better.
Metropole
Am Montag besuchen wir eine Metropole mit vielen Museen und großen Firmen.
On Monday we are visiting a metropolis with many museums and large companies.
Stadt
Die Stadt hat mir gut gefallen, besonders der alte Marktplatz.
I really liked the city, especially the old market square.