Japanese word

国際

Pronunciation

Romajikokusai

Meaning

  • nouninternational

Example

私は国際電話をかけます。watashi wa koku sai den wa o ka ke ma su

I make an international call.

Illustration for 国際 (international)

More examples

大学では国際交流の機会が多いです。dai gaku de wa koku sai kō ryū no ki kai ga ō i de su

There are many opportunities for international exchange at the university.

Core concept

国際 (kokusai) centers on connections, activities, or matters that cross national boundaries.

Common phrases

  • 国際電話koku sai den wa

    international call

  • 国際交流koku sai kō ryū

    international exchange

  • 国際会議koku sai kai gi

    international conference

Definition in Japanese

国境を越えて二つ以上の国に関係すること。kok kyō o ko e te futa tsu i jō no kuni ni kan kei su ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 国際 (kokusai, "international") combines 国 (koku, "country") and 際 (sai, "boundary"), giving the sense of crossing national boundaries.

Usage tips

  • Although English usually treats international as an adjective, 国際 (kokusai) is a Japanese noun that often comes directly before another noun to describe cross-border matters.

Related words

  • 国際化kokusaikainternationalizationnoun
  • 国際的kokusaitekiinternationalna-adjective
  • 国際性kokusaiseiinternational characternoun

Word lists with this word