93
国
Country, Nation
くに (kuni)
JLPT N5
Interesting Fact
Before the name 日本(Nihon or Nippon) became common, Japan was known by names such as Wa (倭) and Yamato (大和). Wa is the oldest recorded name for Japan. Originally written with the Chinese character 倭 (meaning "dwarf" or "submissive"), it was later changed by the Japanese in the 8th century to the character 和 (meaning "harmony" or "peace").
Memory Trick
A Wall surrounding to protect Land and People. A Walled Country. That is symobl 国.
Readings
Onyomi: コク (koku)
Kunyomi: くに (kuni)
Example Words
国
くに (kuni)
Country
外国
がいこく (gaikoku)
Foreign country
中国
ちゅうごく (chuugoku)
China
国語
こくご (kokugo)
National language
Example Sentence
日本は美しい国です。
にほん は うつくしい くに です。
nihon wa utsukushii kuni desu
Japan is a beautiful country.