Japanese word

中国

Pronunciation

Romajichūgoku

Meaning

  • nounChina

Example

中国へ行きます。chū goku e i ki ma su

I am going to China.

Illustration for 中国 (China)

More examples

中国の友達に手紙を書きます。chū goku no tomo dachi ni te gami o ka ki ma su

I write a letter to my friend in China.

中国では、お茶をよく飲みます。chū goku de wa o cha o yo ku no mi ma su

People often drink tea in China.

Common phrases

  • 中国へ行くchū goku e i ku

    go to China

  • 中国から来るchū goku ka ra ku ru

    come from China

Definition in Japanese

日本の西方に位置する東アジアの国。nihon no sei hō ni i chi su ru higashi a ji a no kuni

Word origin

The word 中国 (Chūgoku) comes from the Chinese-character compound 中 (chū, "middle") plus 国 (koku, "country"), a traditional designation for China.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese geography, 中国地方 (Chūgoku-chihō) refers to western Honshū rather than the country, and the word 地方 (chihō) marks that regional meaning.

Word lists with this word