Meaning and Usage
"全国" (ぜんこく) means "the entire nation" or "nationwide." It is used to describe something that covers or involves the whole country, such as events, sales, or policies.
Common Contexts
You will often see "全国" in contexts like nationwide sales, competitions, broadcasts, or surveys. It emphasizes that the subject is not limited to a region but applies to the whole country.
Collocations and Patterns
- 全国で (ぜんこくで): "across the country" — used to indicate something happening or existing throughout the nation.
- 全国大会 (ぜんこくたいかい): "national tournament" — a common phrase for competitions involving participants from all over Japan.
- 全国的に (ぜんこくてきに): "nationwide" or "on a national scale" — used to describe trends or phenomena affecting the whole country.
Register and Nuance
"全国" is a neutral, formal word suitable for both spoken and written Japanese. It is commonly used in news, official announcements, and everyday conversation when referring to the whole country.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "全国" with "全州" or other similar-sounding words. Remember "全国" specifically means "nationwide" or "the entire country," not a smaller administrative division.