国
kuni[kɯ̟ɲ̟i]
The English word 'country' can be translated into Japanese as 国 (kuni). Wiktionary also lists 国家 (kokka).
Meaning: nation state (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 国 | kuni | [kɯ̟ɲ̟i] (narrow) [ko̞kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 国家 | kokka | [ko̞k̚ka̠] (narrow) |
The primary way to say 'country' in the sense of a nation-state is 国. If you are referring specifically to one's nationality, use the term 国籍. To refer to a foreign country or to say 'abroad', the standard term is 外国, which literally means 'outside country'.
Which one should you use?
While 国 is the common word for country, 国家 is a more formal, political term referring to the state or the political entity of a nation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 'country' as a possessive or an attributive noun (e.g., 'the country's economy'), add the particle の after 国.
How do you pronounce it?
kuni
Did you know?
- Historically, the character 国 represents a perimeter or border surrounding a precious piece of jade, symbolizing a protected territory.
- While English uses 'country' to mean both a nation and a rural area, Japanese uses 田舎 (inaka) to refer specifically to the countryside.
- While 国家 refers to the political state, the word 故郷 is used for the 'country' in the sense of one's emotional homeland or birthplace.
Examples in context
- 日本は島国だ。Japan is an island country.This sentence uses 国 to describe Japan as an island country.Tatoeba #122413 by bunbuku, translation #281590 by CK
- 外国へいきたい。I want to go to another country.This sentence uses 国 to express a desire to go to another country.Tatoeba #184808 by bunbuku, translation #3777928 by CK
- 山の多い国です。It's a very mountainous country.This sentence uses 国 to describe a mountainous country.Tatoeba #11263452 by small_snow, translation #10600105 by AlanF_US
- 私は日本出身です。I am from Japan
- 283 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are talking about traveling.
- 美咲 Misakiどの国に行ってみたいですか？dono kuni ni itte mitai desu ka?Which country do you want to go to?
- 蓮 Ren僕はヨーロッパの国に行きたいな。boku wa yooroppa no kuni ni ikitai na.I want to go to a country in Europe.
- 美咲 Misaki素敵な国がたくさんありますね。suteki na kuni ga takusan arimasu ne.There are many wonderful countries, aren't there?
- 蓮 Renそうだね、楽しみだよ。sou da ne, tanoshimi da yo.That's true, I'm looking forward to it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “country” translations and entries 国, 国家, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
