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:

国産の車はとても信頼性が高いです。

Kokusansha no kuruma wa totemo shinraisei ga takai desu

Domestic cars are very reliable.

Household cars are very reliable.

• 国産 - means "produced in Japan"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 車 - means "car"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 信頼性 - means "reliability"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 高い - adjective that means "high" or "elevated"
• です - verb that indicates the polite way of saying or asking

国際交流は大切です。

Kokusai kōryū wa taisetsu desu

International exchange is important.

International exchange is important.

• 国際交流 - International exchange
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - polite way of being

共和国は平和で繁栄することができます。

Kyōwakoku wa heiwa de han'ei suru koto ga dekimasu

The republic can thrive in peace.

The Republic can thrive in peace.

• 共和国 - Republic
• は - Topic particle
• 平和 - Peace
• で - connecting particle
• 繁栄 - Prosperity
• する - Verb "to do"
• こと - Abstract noun
• が - Subject particle
• できます - Verb "to be able to" in the polite form

連邦政府は国民の福祉を守るために尽力しています。

Renpō seifu wa kokumin no fukushi o mamoru tame ni jinryoku shiteimasu

The federal government is working to protect the welfare of the people.

• 連邦政府 - - federal government
• は - - Topic particle
• 国民 - - people/nationality
• の - - Possessive particle
• 福祉 - - well-being
• を - - direct object particle
• 守る - - protect
• ために - - for
• 尽力しています - - trying hard

この国は安定しています。

Kono kuni wa antei shiteimasu

This country is stable.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 国 - noun that means "country"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 安定 - noun meaning "stability"
• しています - compound verb meaning "is keeping"

この法案は国民の利益を守るために必要です。

Kono hōan wa kokumin no rieki o mamoru tame ni hitsuyō desu

This bill is necessary to protect the interests of the people.

• この法案 - This law
• は - is
• 国民の利益 - the interest of the people
• を - (object particle)
• 守る - protect
• ために - for
• 必要 - necessary
• です - is (politeness)

人民は国の基盤である。

Jinmin wa kuni no kiban de aru

People are the foundation of the country.

• 人民 - means "people" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese.
• 国 - "País" significa "国" (kuni) em japonês.
• の - possessive particle in Japanese.
• 基盤 - means "base" or "foundation" in Japanese.
• である - formal form of "to be" in Japanese.

全国には美しい景色がたくさんあります。

Zenkoku ni wa utsukushii keshiki ga takusan arimasu

There are many beautiful landscapes across the country.

• 全国 - it means "the whole country"
• には - it is a particle that indicates the existence of something in a specific place, in this case, "throughout the country"
• 美しい - It means "beautiful"
• 景色 - means "landscape" or "view"
• が - it is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "landscape"
• たくさん - It means "many" or "much"
• あります - It is a verb that means "to exist" or "to have"

公務は国民のために行われる重要な仕事です。

Koumu wa kokumin no tame ni okonawareru juuyou na shigoto desu

Public affairs are an important job for people.

• 公務 - public work
• は - Topic particle
• 国民 - citizens of the country
• のために - for the benefit of
• 行われる - completed
• 重要な - important
• 仕事 - work
• です - is

君主は国を統治する責任がある。

Kunshu wa kuni o tōchi suru sekinin ga aru

The monarch is responsible for the governance of the country.

• 君主 - It means "monarch" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese, indicates that the subject of the sentence is the "monarch."
• 国 - "País" significa "国" (kuni) em japonês.
• を - object particle in Japanese, indicates that the "country" is the object of the action.
• 統治する - "Governar" em japonês é "治める" (osameru).
• 責任がある - 責任を持つ (せきにんをもつ)