Translation and Meaning of: 国 - kuni

The Japanese word 国[くに] is one of those that frequently appears in dialogues, texts, and even in place names. If you are studying Japanese or simply curious about the meaning and usage of this expression, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will explore everything from the basic translation to cultural aspects and practical tips for memorizing its kanji. After all, understanding くに goes beyond knowing that it means "country" – there are interesting nuances that reveal much about the language and the Japanese mindset.

Meaning and translation of 国[くに]

In its simplest form, 国[くに] can be translated as "country" or "nation." However, its meaning goes a little further than that. Depending on the context, the word can also refer to a region, homeland, or even a territory governed by a sovereign. This flexibility makes it appear in different situations, from everyday conversations to historical texts.

It is worth noting that くに is not used only for foreign nations. When a Japanese person speaks about their own country, it is common to hear expressions like 日本国[にほんこく] (State of Japan) or simply 国 in informal contexts. This duality between the formal and colloquial makes the word even more interesting for language students.

Origin and writing of the kanji 国

The kanji 国 is composed of two main elements: the radical 囗 (which represents a limit or boundary) and the character 玉 (which originally meant "jewel" or "treasure"). Together, they convey the idea of a valuable and defined territory – something essential to the concept of a nation. This composition reflects the historical importance of borders and sovereignty in Japanese thought.

Interestingly, the kanji 国 had other forms in ancient China, but the current version was simplified and standardized in Japan during the post-war reforms. Despite the changes, its central meaning has remained intact, illustrating how Japanese writing can preserve concepts even as its graphic representation evolves.

Cultural usage and frequency in everyday life

In Japan, くに is not just a term from the political vocabulary. It appears in everyday expressions, such as 国へ帰る[くにへかえる] (returning to one's home country) or 国のために[くにのために] (for the sake of the country). This type of construction reveals how the concept of nation is deeply connected to personal identity and a sense of belonging in Japanese culture.

Moreover, 国 is frequently used in the names of institutions, such as 国立博物館[こくりつはくぶつかん] (National Museum) or 国語[こくご] (national language). Its presence in these terms reinforces its importance not only in daily communication but also in official and educational contexts. For those studying Japanese, recognizing these patterns can be a great help when it comes to expanding vocabulary.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 日本 (Nihon) - Japan
• 大和 (Yamato) - Great Japan, often associated with ancient Japanese culture
• 邦 (Kuni) - Country, nation
• 国土 (Kokudo) - National territory
• 国家 (Kokka) - Nation, State
• 国籍 (Kokuseki) - nationality
• 国民 (Kokumin) - Citizens, people of a country
• 国内 (Kokunai) - Inside the country, national
• 国外 (Kugai) - Abroad, international
• 国際 (Kokusai) - International
• 国力 (Kokuryoku) - National Force
• 国威 (Kokui) - National prestige
• 国益 (Kokueki) - National interests
• 国事 (Kokuji) - State Affections, national matters
• 国政 (Kokusei) - National policy
• 国庫 (Kokko) - National treasury, state treasure
• 国費 (Kokuhika) - State Costs
• 国産 (Kokusan) - Produced in the country
• 国営 (Koku ei) - Operated by the State
• 国有 (Kokuyu) - State property
• 国立 (Kokuritsu) - National institution
• 国境 (Kokkyou) - National border
• 国旗 (Kokki) - National flag
• 国歌 (Kokka) - National anthem
• 国章 (Kokushou) - National emblem
• 国民栄誉賞 (Kokumin Eiyo Shou) - Citizen's Honor Award
• 国民的 (Kokumin teki) - Of national character, popular among citizens

国

Romaji: kuni
Kana: くに
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: country

Meaning in English: country

Definition: A political unit in which people living in a particular area form a community.

Example Sentences - (国) kuni

See below some example sentences:

衆議院は日本の国会の一つです。

Shugiin wa Nihon no kokkai no hitotsu desu

The House of Representatives is one of the Japanese houses of parliament.

The House of Representatives is one of the Japanese diet.

• 衆議院 - Shugiin (House of Representatives)
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Nihon (Japan)
• の - Possession particle
• 国会 - Kokkai (Parliament)
• の - Possession particle
• 一つ - hitotsu (um)
• です - desu (is)

行政は国家の重要な役割です。

Gyōsei wa kokka no jūyōna yakuwari desu

Administration is an important role of the state.

The government plays an important role in the nation.

• 行政 (gyousei) - administration
• 国家 (kokka) - state
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 役割 (yakuwari) - Paper, function
• です (desu) - verb to be"

経済の停滞は国民に大きな影響を与える。

Keizai no teitai wa kokumin ni ookina eikyou wo ataeru

The stagnation of the economy has a big impact on citizens.

Economic stagnation has a significant impact on the people.

• 経済 (keizai) - economy
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 停滞 (teitai) - stagnation
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 国民 (kokumin) - citizens of the country
• に (ni) - target particle
• 大きな (ookina) - large
• 影響 (eikyou) - influence, impact
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 与える (ataeru) - give, grant

統制は国家の安定に必要な要素です。

Tōsei wa kokka no antei ni hitsuyōna yōso desu

Control is a necessary element for the stability of a nation.

Control is a necessary element of nation stability.

• 統制 - Control, regulation
• は - Topic particle
• 国家 - Estado, nação
• の - Possession particle
• 安定 - stability
• に - target particle
• 必要 - necessary
• な - attribute particle
• 要素 - element
• です - verb to be

私の国籍は日本です。

Watashi no kokuseki wa Nihon desu

My nationality is Japan.

My nationality is Japan.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 国籍 (kokuseki) - noun that means "nationality"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本 (Nihon) - noun meaning "Japan"
• です (desu) - verb to be in the present, indicating that the nationality is Japanese

日本は美しい国です。

Nihon wa utsukushii kuni desu

Japan is a beautiful country.

Japan is a beautiful country.

• 日本 - Japan
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - beautiful
• 国 - country
• です - Ser/estar (polite form)

政党は国の発展に不可欠な存在です。

Seitou wa kuni no hatten ni fukaketsu na sonzai desu

Political parties are an essential presence for the country's development.

Political parties are essential for national development.

• 政党 - Political party
• は - Topic particle
• 国 - country
• の - Possessive particle
• 発展 - development
• に - target particle
• 不可欠 - indispensable
• な - attribute particle
• 存在 - existence
• です - Verb "to be"

政治は国家の発展にとって重要な役割を果たしています。

Seiji wa kokka no hatten ni totte juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashiteimasu

Politics plays an important role in the country's development.

Politics plays an important role in the development of the nation.

• 政治 (seiji) - politics
• 国家 (kokka) - Estado, nação
• 発展 (hatten) - development
• にとって (ni totte) - for, in relation to
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 役割 (yakuwari) - Paper, function
• を果たしています (wo hatashite imasu) - performs

憲法は国家の基本法である。

Kenpou wa kokka no kihonhou de aru

The Constitution is the fundamental law of the State.

The Constitution is a basic national law.

• 憲法 - Constitution
• は - Topic particle
• 国家 - state
• の - Possession particle
• 基本法 - fundamental law
• である - is

国有地は国が所有する土地のことです。

Kokuyūchi wa kuni ga shoyū suru tochi no koto desu

National land refers to lands owned by the government.

State-owned land is land owned by the country.

• 国有地 - public land
• 国 - country
• 所有する - to possess
• 土地 - earth
• こと - thing
• です - Is (verb to be in the present tense)