Nation or Country?
2022-12-31
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1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question about the difference between "nation" and "country."
2Hi VOA Learning English,
3Could you please help and explain what the difference is in usage between "nation" and "country?"
4Thanks and regards,
5Siyang Hao
6Hello Siyang!
7This is a great question.
8Often these words are used as synonyms, but there are differences.
9Let's look at how we use these words and find some examples to help us understand.
10Let's start with "country."
11A "country" is an organized political unit.
12We often describe "countries" as "states," especially when talking about politics.
13Joshua Keating, a former editor for the website Foreign Policy says there are several things that are needed to become a country.
14A country needs territory or land.
15Next, people living there must live there permanently.
16Then the international community must recognize the boundaries or borders of the country.
17Next, the country must have full sovereignty or the freedom of rule and be recognized by other countries.
18Finally, a country is ruled by a government or political body.
19Here are some examples of how to use "country" in a sentence.
20There are no countries in Antarctica, but some countries like Chile and New Zealand have claimed areas of it.
21I have been to several countries in Europe including Romania, Czechia, Estonia and Finland.
22Even though The United States is made up of smaller units called "states," they are not sovereign countries and are not internationally recognized as such.
23California is a state and has the world's 4th largest economy, but it is not a country.
24We often use "country" and "state" as synonyms, especially to differentiate the other meaning of "country" as a place outside of a city that has fields, farmland, trees, or villages.
25Regina enjoys going to the country on the weekends to visit her family's farm in West Virginia.
26And now let's move onto "nation."
27"Nation" has two different meanings.
28Firstly, a "nation" can describe the same thing as the word "country" or "state."
29Our VOA Word Book describes a "nation" as a "country" together with its political and social systems. Let's look at an example.
30There are 193 nations that make up the international organization called The United Nations.
31The nation of Argentina recently won the FIFA World Cup.
32"Nation" also has another meaning.
33It is the people of an area who are connected by a common culture or identity.
34Sometimes a "country" or "state" is represented by one "nation," called a "nation-state."
35Japan, Finland, and even the United States are considered nation-states.
36Not all "nations" of people have their own "country" or border of their land that is recognized internationally.
37Examples of "nations" of people without their own "country" include: The Kurdish people and native or indigenous people like Native Americans.
38The Kurdish nation lives throughout a region called Kurdistan, which is spread throughout five countries.
39Kurds have a common language and culture.
40First Nations people are an indigenous nation group in Canada.
41Please let us know if these explanations and examples have helped you!
42What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com
43And that's Ask a Teacher.
44I'm Faith Pirlo.
1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question about the difference between "nation" and "country." 2Question 3Hi VOA Learning English, 4Could you please help and explain what the difference is in usage between "nation" and "country?" 5Thanks and regards, 6Siyang Hao 7Answer 8Hello Siyang! 9This is a great question. Often these words are used as synonyms, but there are differences. Let's look at how we use these words and find some examples to help us understand. 10Let's start with "country." 11A "country" is an organized political unit. We often describe "countries" as "states," especially when talking about politics. Joshua Keating, a former editor for the website Foreign Policy says there are several things that are needed to become a country. 12A country needs territory or land. Next, people living there must live there permanently. Then the international community must recognize the boundaries or borders of the country. 13Next, the country must have full sovereignty or the freedom of rule and be recognized by other countries. Finally, a country is ruled by a government or political body. 14Here are some examples of how to use "country" in a sentence. 15There are no countries in Antarctica, but some countries like Chile and New Zealand have claimed areas of it. 16I have been to several countries in Europe including Romania, Czechia, Estonia and Finland. 17Even though The United States is made up of smaller units called "states," they are not sovereign countries and are not internationally recognized as such. 18California is a state and has the world's 4th largest economy, but it is not a country. 19We often use "country" and "state" as synonyms, especially to differentiate the other meaning of "country" as a place outside of a city that has fields, farmland, trees, or villages. 20Regina enjoys going to the country on the weekends to visit her family's farm in West Virginia. 21And now let's move onto "nation." 22"Nation" has two different meanings. Firstly, a "nation" can describe the same thing as the word "country" or "state." Our VOA Word Book describes a "nation" as a "country" together with its political and social systems. Let's look at an example. 23There are 193 nations that make up the international organization called The United Nations. 24The nation of Argentina recently won the FIFA World Cup. 25"Nation" also has another meaning. It is the people of an area who are connected by a common culture or identity. 26Sometimes a "country" or "state" is represented by one "nation," called a "nation-state." 27Japan, Finland, and even the United States are considered nation-states. 28Not all "nations" of people have their own "country" or border of their land that is recognized internationally. 29Examples of "nations" of people without their own "country" include: The Kurdish people and native or indigenous people like Native Americans. 30The Kurdish nation lives throughout a region called Kurdistan, which is spread throughout five countries. Kurds have a common language and culture. 31First Nations people are an indigenous nation group in Canada. 32Please let us know if these explanations and examples have helped you! 33What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com 34And that's Ask a Teacher. 35I'm Faith Pirlo. 36Faith Pirlo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 37______________________________________________________________ 38Words in This Story 39synonyms - n. a word that is similar in meaning to another word 40sovereignty - n. a country's independent power and the right to govern itself 41evolution - n. a gradual process of change and development 42indigenous - adj. produced, living or existing in a certain place or environment; native to a place 43__________________________________________________________ 44Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 45Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.