How to say "country" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 国くにnounThe general word for a country as a nation or political unit. Use it when simply naming countries, asking which country someone is from, or counting how many countries you have visited.
- 国家こっかnounThe country as an abstract political entity — the state with its government and sovereignty. This is the word in political or legal discussion, not for naming countries or saying where you are from.
- 国土こくどnounThe country as land — its territory and terrain rather than the nation as a political unit. Use it when speaking of the land itself: how vast, rich or mountainous it is, or defending it.
Use 国 for a country in the ordinary sense, 国家 for the country as an abstract political state, and 国土 for the country as land or territory.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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