国家|こっかkokka[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounstate; country; nation
   同おなじ事ことが国家こっかについても当あてはまる。↗

   The same is true of the nation.

• Synonym国くにNeutralEveryday word for a country; also covers one's homeland, a region, or the central government, as in 「国に帰る」. More colloquial and broader in use than 「国家」.
• SynonymネーションWrittenLoanword for a nation or state; academic tone, seen in set phrases like 「ネーションステート」. In ordinary contexts 「国」 or 「国家」 is said instead.
• Antonym個人こじんNeutralAn individual person in society; often set against the state, as in 「国家と個人」, with the focus on the single person rather than the whole.
• Antonym地方ちほうNeutralThe regions within the country, as in 「地方自治」; stands opposite 「国家」, which represents the whole and the central government.

For the state as a political entity, 「国家」 is the default, in academic writing too. In speech, or for one's homeland, say 「国」; 「ネーション」 stresses the people as a nation. 「個人」 and 「地方」 are its counterparts: the individual and the regions.

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

1. くに。一定いっていの土地とちとそこに住すむ人間にんげんからなり、排他的はいたてきな統治権とうちけんを有ゆうする政治的せいじてき共同体きょうどうたいのこと。