Meaning and Usage
The word "国" (くに) primarily means "country" or "nation." It is a fundamental noun used to refer to a sovereign state or homeland.
Common Contexts
You will often see "国" used when talking about countries in general, their culture, or patriotism. For example, "日本は美しい国です" (Japan is a beautiful country) is a typical sentence.
Collocations and Patterns
- 国の文化 (くにのぶんか): "country's culture" — used when discussing cultural aspects.
- 国のために (くにのために): "for the country" — expresses working or acting for the benefit of one's nation.
- 自分の国 (じぶんのくに): "one's own country" — used to specify the country one belongs to.
Register and Nuance
"国" is a neutral and common word suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is often used in news, education, and everyday conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "国" with "町" (town) or "市" (city). Remember, "国" refers to a whole country or nation, not a smaller administrative area.