city hall

Meaning

A 'city hall' is the chief administrative building of a city or town government. It usually houses the city council, the mayor's office, and other local government departments. For travelers, it is often a historic landmark worth visiting or a place to handle local administrative tasks.

Examples

• The architectural design of the historic city hall is absolutely stunning.

  The architectural design of the historic city hall is absolutely stunning.

• We need to go to city hall to get a permit for the street market.

  We need to go to city hall to get a permit for the street market.

• The mayor is giving a press conference outside city hall this afternoon.

  The mayor is giving a press conference outside city hall this afternoon.

• You can catch the bus right in front of city hall.

  You can catch the bus right in front of city hall.

• Many tourists take photos of the beautiful clock tower on city hall.

  Many tourists take photos of the beautiful clock tower on city hall.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I have to visit the town's house to pay a fine.

  ✓ I have to visit city hall to pay a fine.

  While some languages use a literal translation of 'town house' for municipal headquarters, in English, the administrative building is called 'city hall' or 'town hall'.

• ✗ The city hall is the mayor house.

  ✓ City hall houses the mayor's office.

  City hall is a civic office building, not the private home or residence of the mayor.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The local government offices are located inside ___.

  💡 The main administrative building of a city.

  Show answer

  city hall

• They lit up ___ in blue and yellow to celebrate the festival.

  💡 The central civic building where the mayor works.

  Show answer

  city hall