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JLPT N58画 · 8 strokesradical 國grade 2freq #29

country, nation

On'yomi (音読み)

  • コク

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • くに

Mnemonic

Inside a country, a pearl (玉) sits protected by a surrounding wall (囗), symbolizing the nation's treasure hidden within.

About this kanji

The kanji 「国」 means "country" or "nation." It can be used as both a noun and in compounds. When reading it in compounds, the on'yomi reading コク is often used. For example, 外国 (がいこく) means "foreign country," so it's useful when talking about places outside your own home country. Another common compound is 国語 (こくご), which refers to the "national language" of a country, like Japanese. Additionally, 国家 (こっか) means "nation" and can be used in political contexts. Remember, when using the word alone, you would read it as くに, which refers simply to "country" in general.

Built from

Example sentences

  • 彼は日本の国籍です。

    He has Japanese nationality.

Meanings across languages

English
country, nation
Tiếng Việt
quốc gia, đất nước
日本語
国, 国土
한국어
나라
中文
国家
id
negara
th
ประเทศ
es
país
fr
pays
de
Land
pt
país

Common compounds

  • 外国がいこくforeign country
  • 国語こくごnational language
  • 国家こっかnation, state

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