Readings: コク (Onyomi), くに (Kunyomi)
Meaning: country
The kanji 国 means “country” or “nation.” It’s used in words like 日本国 (Japan), 外国 (foreign country), and 国語 (national language).
View JLPT N5 Kanji ListKanji Details
| Radical | 囗 (enclosure) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 8 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
| Grade | 2nd Grade |
Readings
| Onyomi | コク |
|---|---|
| Kunyomi | くに |
How to Write – Stroke Order
国 consists of the “enclosure” radical surrounding the character 玉 (jewel or king). It has 8 strokes and is easy to recognize in flags or country names.
Example Sentences
Japanese: 日本は美しい国です。
Kana: にほんはうつくしいくにです。
Romaji: Nihon wa utsukushii kuni desu.
English: Japan is a beautiful country.
Japanese: 外国に行きたいです。
Kana: がいこくにいきたいです。
Romaji: Gaikoku ni ikitai desu.
English: I want to go to a foreign country.
Japanese: この国の文化が好きです。
Kana: このくにのぶんかがすきです。
Romaji: Kono kuni no bunka ga suki desu.
English: I like this country’s culture.
Vocabulary Using 国
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 国 | くに | country |
| 外国 | がいこく | foreign country |
| 中国 | ちゅうごく | China |
| 韓国 | かんこく | Korea |
| 国語 | こくご | national language |
🔗 N5 Grammar & Vocabulary
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