国有

こくゆう

national ownership

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"国有" (guóyǒu) literally means "owned by the country" or "state-owned." It is commonly used to describe enterprises, assets, or land that belong to the government rather than private individuals or companies.

Common Contexts

You will often see "国有" in discussions about economics, property, and governance, especially in contexts involving state control or regulation. For example, "国有企业" refers to state-owned enterprises, which play a significant role in many economies.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 国有企业: state-owned enterprise, referring to companies owned by the government.
  • 国有资产: state-owned assets, meaning properties or resources owned by the state.
  • 国有土地: state-owned land, land owned and regulated by the government.

Usage Notes

When using "国有," it implies government ownership and often carries a formal or official tone. It contrasts with "私有" (private ownership). Be careful not to confuse "国有" with "国家" which means "national" but does not necessarily imply ownership.

Common Confusion

Learners sometimes confuse "国有" with "国家". Remember, "国有" specifically means "owned by the state," while "国家" means "related to the country or nation" but not necessarily owned by it.

Example Sentences

This factory is a state-owned enterprise, owned by the country.

The management of state-owned assets needs to be more transparent and

State-owned land cannot be traded arbitrarily; it must be approved by the