国 — Country, Nation, State

Meaning

The kanji 国 (kuni, koku) is a fundamental character in Japanese, meaning "country," "nation," or "state." It is an N5 level kanji, commonly among the first characters Japanese learners encounter. It has eight strokes and uses the radical 囗 (kunigamae), which literally means "enclosure" or "national border."

Historically, 国 was an ideogram. Its ancient form showed a territory or settlement surrounded by borders, highlighting the concept of a defined area. The outer box (囗) represents these boundaries or walls. Inside, the component 玉 (gyoku, meaning "jewel" or "king") symbolizes the precious resources or people (or even the ruler) within those borders. This visual design effectively portrays a valuable entity contained within a protected space, which aligns with the meaning of "country" or "nation."

The meaning of 国 is reinforced by its evolution from older forms, where the inner component always suggested something significant within a boundary. The current form, with 玉 inside 囗, clearly depicts a nation as a treasured entity within its borders. Grasping this visual connection makes the character easier to remember and offers a glimpse into the Japanese perception of nationhood. As a Grade 2 character, it's typically taught to children in their second year of elementary school, underscoring its foundational importance in the Japanese language.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The on'yomi reading for 国 is コク (koku). This reading originates from Chinese and is most commonly used when 国 is part of a compound word, especially with other kanji. It often implies a more formal or administrative sense of "nation" or "country." For example, when you see it in words like:

外国がいこく (gaikoku) — foreign country
自国じこく (jikoku) — one's own country
国際こくさい (kokusai) — international

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The kun'yomi reading for 国 is くに (kuni). This is a native Japanese reading, often used when 国 appears alone or as part of a compound with okurigana (送り仮名), which are kana suffixes. It typically refers to a "country," "region," or "homeland" in a more personal or general context, such as:

国くに (kuni) — country, homeland
国々くにぐに (kuniguni) — various countries

Common Words & Compounds

The kanji 国 appears in many Japanese words and compounds, highlighting its importance in daily conversation and formal contexts. These terms frequently relate to geography, nationality, and international affairs.

国くに (kuni) — country, nation, homeland
外国がいこく (gaikoku) — foreign country
本国ほんごく (hongoku) — one's own country, mother country
国内こくない (kokunai) — domestic, inside the country
国民こくみん (kokumin) — citizen, nation, people
国立こくりつ (kokuritsu) — national (institution, park, etc.)
国際こくさい (kokusai) — international
国家こっか (kokka) — state, nation
国境こっきょう (kokkyō) — national border
国連こくれん (kokuren) — United Nations (abbreviation)
国語こくご (kokugo) — national language (often refers to Japanese in Japan)
国産こくさん (kokusan) — domestic product, made in Japan
国宝こくほう (kokuhō) — national treasure

Example Sentences

Here are some example sentences demonstrating how 国 is used in various contexts, from simple declarations to more complex ideas:

日本にほんは美うつくしい国くにです。

Nihon wa utsukushii kuni desu.

Japan is a beautiful country.

私わたしは自分じぶんの国くにが好すきです。

Watashi wa jibun no kuni ga suki desu.

I love my own country.

多おおくの国くにから旅行者りょこうしゃが来きます。

Ōku no kuni kara ryokōsha ga kimasu.

Travelers come from many countries.

世界せかいにはたくさんの国くにがあります。

Sekai ni wa takusan no kuni ga arimasu.

There are many countries in the world.

彼かれは外国がいこくで働はたらきたいと思おもっています。

Kare wa gaikoku de hatarakitai to omotte imasu.

He wants to work in a foreign country.

国旗こっきはそれぞれの国くにの象徴しょうちょうです。

Kokki wa sorezore no kuni no shōchō desu.

National flags are symbols of each country.

国際こくさい連合れんごうは世界せかいの平和へいわのために活動かつどうしています。

Kokusai Rengō wa sekai no heiwa no tame ni katsudō shite imasu.

The United Nations works for world peace.

私わたしはいつか国くにを離はなれて、世界せかいを旅たびしたいです。

Watashi wa itsuka kuni o hanarete, sekai o tabi shitai desu.

I want to leave my country someday and travel the world.

彼かれは自国じこくの歴史れきしについて詳くわしいです。

Kare wa jikoku no rekishi ni tsuite kuwashii desu.

He is knowledgeable about his own country's history.

Related Kanji

Memory Tip

To remember the kanji 国 (country), imagine a "king" or "jewel" (玉) nestled safely inside a "box" or "border" (囗). The outer square represents a nation's boundaries, protecting everything within. The precious jewel inside symbolizes the country itself – something valuable and worth safeguarding. Therefore, a precious "jewel" within "borders" forms a "country." Visualizing a treasure chest holding a glowing gem, with the chest forming the outline of a country on a map, can help reinforce this connection.