Japanese word

国

Pronunciation

Romajikuni

Meaning

  • nouncountry

Example

この国は安全です。ko no kuni wa an zen de su

This country is safe.

Illustration for 国 (country)

More examples

わたしはこの国が好きです。wa ta shi wa ko no kuni ga su ki de su

I like this country.

旅行の前に、行く国を決めます。ryo kō no mae ni i ku kuni o ki me ma su

Before the trip, I decide which country to visit.

Core concept

It refers to a bounded community with its own land, people, and governing system.

Common phrases

  • 国の言葉kuni no koto ba

    the language of a country

  • 国を訪れるkuni o otozu re ru

    visit a country

Similar words

国家kokka: A formal term for a sovereign political entity with its own government and territory.

Definition in Japanese

一定の領土と住民をもち、政府が統治する社会的・政治的なまとまり。it tei no ryō do to jū min o mo chi sei fu ga tō chi su ru sha kai teki sei ji teki na ma to ma ri

Word origin

国 (kuni, "country") belongs to native Japanese vocabulary rather than Sino-Japanese word formation, and its ultimate origin is uncertain; 國 (koku, "realm") was borrowed as its written form.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese history, 国 (kuni) also names a former regional administrative unit, so older texts may use it for a territory smaller than a modern country.

Other meanings

  • statenoun

Word lists with this word