县 (xiàn) means 'county', a county-level administrative division in China, while 城 (chéng) means 'city' or 'walled urban center'. Together, 县城 (xiàn chéng) refers specifically to the county seat—the central town or city where the county government is located. Unlike larger cities such as provincial capitals, a 县城 is typically smaller, more rural in character, and serves as the political, economic, and cultural hub for its surrounding rural areas.

县城区别于地级市（e.g., Suzhou） or provincial capitals (e.g., Guangzhou), and also differs from villages (村) or towns (镇) that lack full county-level administration. It’s common to hear phrases like ‘回县城’ (return to the county seat) or ‘县城中学’ (county seat high school), emphasizing its role as an administrative and service center for local residents.