国
country
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
Enclosure + jewel
Cultural Context
Etymology
Treasure (玉) within borders (囗). Territory enclosed to protect treasure.
Symbolism
Nation, homeland, identity. Represents belonging and patriotism.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Thinking of one's country
Anime & Manga
キングダム
Kingdom(2006)
Historical epic depicting China's ('country's) Warring States period.
View on Amazon →Games
三國志
Romance of the Three Kingdoms(1985)
Developer: Koei Tecmo
Historical simulation set in the Three 'Kingdoms' period.
View on Amazon →Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
一死報国
いっしほうこく
dying for one's country; dying for one's country
挙国一致
きょこくいっち
national unity; unity of the whole nation; national unity
忠君愛国
ちゅうくんあいこく
loyalty and patriotism; loyalty and patriotism
七生報国
しちしょうほうこく
unfailing devotion to one's country; serving one's country for seven lives; unfailing devotion to one's country
国利民福
こくりみんぷく
national interests and the people's welfare; national interests and the people's welfare
富国強兵
ふこくきょうへい
enrich the country, strengthen the army; enrich the country, strengthen the army
異国情緒
いこくじょうちょ
exotic mood; exotic atmosphere; exoticism; exotic mood
尽忠報国
じんちゅうほうこく
loyalty and patriotism; loyalty and patriotism
国士無双
こくしむそう
distinguished person; thirteen orphans; winning hand containing one of each terminal and honor tile plus one extra copy of any of them; distinguished person
異国情調
いこくじょうちょう
exoticism; exoticism
傾国傾城
けいこくけいせい
woman so glamorous as to bring ruin to a country (castle) as its king (lord) is captivated by her beauty; femme fatale; woman so glamorous as to bring ruin to a country (castle) as its king (lord) is captivated by her beauty
傾城傾国
けいせいけいこく
woman so glamorous as to bring ruin to a country (castle) as its king (lord) is captivated by her beauty; femme fatale; woman so glamorous as to bring ruin to a country (castle) as its king (lord) is captivated by her beauty
小国寡民
しょうこくかみん
small country with a small population (The Chinese philosopher Lao-tze's ideal of a state); small country with a small population (The Chinese philosopher Lao-tze's ideal of a state)
一国一城
いっこくいちじょう
(possession of) one feudal domain and one castle; being independent (acting without compromise or assistance); establishing only one castle in each feudal domain (edict issued by the shogunate in 1615); (possession of) one feudal domain and one castle
救国済民
きゅうこくさいみん
saving a nation and providing relief to the people; saving a nation and providing relief to the people
経国済民
けいこくさいみん
governing a nation and providing relief to people; governing a nation and providing relief to people
国威発揚
こくいはつよう
enhancing national prestige; expanding national influence; enhancing national prestige
諸国漫遊
しょこくまんゆう
tour around the country; travelling to various provinces; tour around the country
Proverbs & Idioms
国破れて山河あり
くにやぶれてさんがあり
The country is destroyed but the mountains and rivers remain
Nature endures even when nations fall
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 国 mean in Japanese?
国 means country.
How do you read 国?
On'yomi: コク (KOKU). Kun'yomi: くに (kuni).
How many strokes does 国 have?
国 has 8 strokes. Its radical is 囗 (enclosure).
Is 国 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 国 (country) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for country