Meaning and Usage
The word '나라' means 'country' or 'nation' in Korean. It is a fundamental noun used to refer to a sovereign state or homeland.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '나라' when talking about geography, culture, or patriotism. For example, when describing a country's features or expressing national pride.
Collocations and Patterns
- 나라 이름 (country name): used when specifying or asking about the name of a country.
- 우리 나라 (our country): a common phrase expressing a sense of belonging or patriotism.
- 다른 나라 (another country): used when comparing or referring to foreign countries.
Register and Politeness
'나라' is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts without change.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '나라' with '국가' which also means 'country' but is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts. Use '나라' for everyday conversation and '국가' for formal or academic contexts.