The City
What locals across the five boroughs and suburbs call Manhattan specifically, not New York City as a whole.
Example
A Brooklyn friend saying they are heading into the city for dinner means Manhattan, not New York in general.
Related terms
NYC slang
Borough
One of the five divisions of New York City: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.
NYC slang
Uptown and Downtown
The two directions of Manhattan life: uptown means north toward Harlem, downtown means south toward the Financial...
Landmarks
Brooklyn Bridge
The 1883 Gothic-towered suspension bridge whose elevated walkway is the city's most famous free walk.
NYC slang
Bodega
A corner convenience store found on nearly every NYC block, selling snacks, coffee, sandwiches and household basics...
Pages that mention this term
- Empire State Building: why the 86th floor beats the 102nd
- Top of the Rock: the Empire State Building photo is the whole point
- Edge at Hudson Yards: is the west side view worth the wind?
- A cruise around Manhattan: why the full loop wins on day one
- Queens Travel Guide 2026: What to See, Eat and Where to Stay
- Spider-Man's Manhattan: A Walkable Map of the Real Film Locations and Composite Shots
Frequently asked questions
Do New Yorkers really never say Big Apple?
Almost never in conversation. It survives in marketing and headlines. Say the city or name the borough instead.
Is Manhattan the only borough worth visiting?
No. Brooklyn and Queens hold much of the best food and views. But when locals say the city, Manhattan is what they mean.
What should I say instead of Big Apple?
Say the city for Manhattan, or name the borough you mean. Both sound normal in conversation, while Big Apple survives mainly in marketing and headlines.
