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道Nihongo Path
国

国·country

On-yomi
コク
Kun-yomi
くに

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

8 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
国くにcountry
外国人がいこくじんforeigner
外国がいこくforeign country
中国ちゅうごくChina
国語こくごnational language

Example sentences

  1. わたしの国はインドです。

    わたしのくにはいんどです。

    My country is India.

  2. この会社には外国人が多いです。

    このかいしゃにはがいこくじんがおおいです。

    There are many foreigners at this company.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 中国 as *ちゅうこく instead of ちゅうごく

Memory aid

Picture it

A jewel (玉) locked inside a border (囗): a country's treasure behind its walls.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 国 mean?