地级市

A 'prefecture-level city' is an administrative division in China that is higher than a county but lower than a province. It typically includes several counties, districts, and towns under its jurisdiction.

The character 地 (dì) means 'place' or 'region,' 级 (jí) means 'level,' and 市 (shì) means 'city.' Together, they denote a city with a specific administrative level within China's governance structure.

These cities are important in China's administrative system, often serving as economic or cultural hubs. Understanding this term helps learners grasp how China organizes its territories and how different regions function within the country's hierarchy.