Japanese word

国家

Pronunciation

Romajikokka

Meaning

  • nouncountry

Example

日本は独立した国家です。nihon wa doku ritsu shi ta kok ka de su

Japan is an independent country.

Illustration for 国家 (country)

More examples

この国家では、国民が大統領を選びます。ko no kok ka de wa koku min ga dai tō ryō o era bi ma su

In this country, citizens elect the president.

Core concept

Refers to a territory and population organized under a common government and recognized as a country or state.

Common phrases

  • 国家として認めるkok ka to shi te mito me ru

    recognize as a state

  • 国家の法律kok ka no hō ritsu

    laws of a country

Similar words

国kuni: A common everyday word for a country as a political and geographic unit.

Definition in Japanese

一定の領土と国民を基盤に、政府が統治する政治共同体。it tei no ryō do to koku min o ki ban ni sei fu ga tō chi su ru sei ji kyō dō tai

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 国家 (kokka) consists of 国 (koku, "country") and 家 (ka, "household or family"), and the compound denotes an organized political community.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often use country for an independent nation and state for a political unit or an independent nation, depending on the surrounding context.

Other meanings

  • statenoun

Word lists with this word