How to say "citizenship" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

国籍こくせきJLPT N2approx.Common
nounCitizenship as a legal bond with a particular country — the same idea as 'nationality'. Choose this when the legal status of belonging to a nation, rather than any rights, is meant.
我々われわれの真しんの国籍こくせきは人類じんるいである。↗
Our true nationality is mankind.
市民権しみんけんCommon
nounCitizenship as the status and rights of a citizen, with the emphasis on civic rights rather than the bare legal tie of nationality; it also serves for 'civic rights'.
彼かれは米国べいこくの市民権しみんけんを得えた。↗
He acquired American citizenship.
公民権こうみんけんCommon
nounPrimarily 'civil rights' — the rights of citizens, including the franchise (the right to vote). For 'citizenship' itself it is seldom the word you want; reach for it only when civil rights are meant.
公民権こうみんけん運動うんどうはある夢ゆめに至いたる。↗
The civil rights movement leads to a dream.

For citizenship as legal nationality use 国籍; for the status and civic rights of a citizen use 市民権; 公民権 means civil rights, including the franchise, and is rarely the word for citizenship itself.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

国籍こくせきnationality
市民権しみんけんcitizenship
公民権こうみんけんcivil rights
シティズンシップcitizenship

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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