Japanese word

大国

Pronunciation

Romajitaikoku

Meaning

  • noungreat power

Example

その大国は世界に大きな影響を与えます。so no tai koku wa se kai ni ō ki na ei kyō o ata e ma su

That great power has a major influence on the world.

Illustration for 大国 (great power)

More examples

その国は経済成長を続け、やがて大国になりました。so no kuni wa kei zai sei chō o tsuzu ke ya ga te tai koku ni na ri ma shi ta

The country continued to grow economically and eventually became a great power.

Core concept

Names a country whose exceptional national strength or scale allows it to shape events beyond its own borders.

Common phrases

  • 大国になるtai koku ni na ru

    become a great power

  • 大国同士tai koku dō shi

    great powers

Similar words

強国kyōkoku: A country with considerable national strength, especially in military or economic terms.
超大国chōtaikoku: A country with vast global power and the ability to project influence across distant regions.

Definition in Japanese

規模や国力が大きく、国際社会で大きな発言力や影響力を持つ国。ki bo ya koku ryoku ga ō ki ku koku sai sha kai de ō ki na hatsu gen ryoku ya ei kyō ryoku o mo tsu kuni

Word origin

The word 大国 (taikoku, "great power") combines 大 (tai, "big") with 国 (koku, "country") in a Sino-Japanese formation, treating national greatness as the basis of power.

Usage tips

  • Unlike "large country," "great power" usually highlights international influence, making 大国 (taikoku) useful when a country's global role matters as much as its size.

Other meanings

  • large countrynoun

Opposites

  • 小国shōkokusmall countrynoun

Related words

  • 大国化taikokukabecoming a great powernoun

Word lists with this word