countries
countries — noun
- countriessingular
- countriesesplural
1. A separate part of the world that keeps its own government, makes its own laws,
A separate part of the world that keeps its own government, makes its own laws, and controls its own borders — the standard way of referring to one of our planet's political divisions.
Tuan's family moved to a new country when he was eight years old.
country as a political unit with borders
Japan is a country made up of thousands of islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Each country in the European Union has its own laws and government.
The two countries signed a peace agreement after years of conflict.
Omar wants to visit every country in Southeast Asia before he turns thirty.
文法句型
country + verb (singular/plural agreement by context)
adjective + country (e.g. foreign country, home country)
用法筆記
This is the most common meaning of 'country'. It may be used with either singular or plural verb agreement depending on whether the country is treated as a single entity ('the country is') or as its people ('the country are divided').
常見錯誤
2. The entire population of a nation, thought of as one body that can share the sam
The entire population of a nation, thought of as one body that can share the same experiences, opinions, or emotions.
The whole country mourned when the former president passed away last spring.
the whole country = everyone living there
The country voted in a new government after years of economic trouble.
Yael believes the country is ready for change after the last election.
The country celebrated wildly when their rugby team won the World Cup.
- people
more direct; refers to persons rather than the abstract collective body
- population
more statistical and formal; emphasises numbers rather than shared feeling
- nation
overlaps here; 'the nation' also refers to the people, but carries a stronger sense of shared identity
文法句型
the whole country + verb (singular)
the country + verb (singular for unity, plural for individuals)
用法筆記
Frequently appears with 'the whole country' or 'the entire country'. Unlike sense 1, this sense cannot be pluralised — you cannot say 'the countries celebrated' to mean 'people celebrated'. Use 'the people of both countries' instead.
常見錯誤
3. Any region beyond built-up urban areas, where the land is typically farmed or wi
Any region beyond built-up urban areas, where the land is typically farmed or wild, dotted with few buildings and offering a slower way of life.
Manuela grew up in the country, far from the noisy city streets.
in the country = rural area
Wei's family bought a small stone house in the country to escape the busy city life.
The country roads were quiet and lined with tall oak trees on both sides.
Stefan prefers the country because the air is cleaner and the nights are quiet.
- countryside
the more explicit term; always means rural land and cannot be confused with 'nation'
- rural area
more formal and descriptive; used in writing and official contexts
- the outdoors
broader — includes wilderness, parks, and mountains, not just farmland
文法句型
in the country
the country (no article for other senses requires 'the' here)
用法筆記
Always takes the definite article 'the'. 'In the country' is the standard phrase. Distinguish from sense 1 by the presence of 'the' — 'a country' (sense 1) is a nation; 'the country' (sense 3) is rural land. Context usually disambiguates: mention of farms, fields, fresh air signals this sense.
常見錯誤
4. A stretch of territory defined by its natural characteristics — such as hills, f
A stretch of territory defined by its natural characteristics — such as hills, forest, desert, or open fields — rather than by political borders.
The rocky country around the village is perfect for hiking and climbing.
adjective + country describing landscape type
This part of the state is open country with few trees or buildings.
The desert country stretched for miles with nothing but sand and rocks.
Drivers should be careful on the narrow roads through hill country.
文法句型
adjective + country (describing landscape)
country of + noun
用法筆記
Nearly always appears with a preceding adjective (open, hill, desert, mountain, wooded, flat). Cannot be pluralised. The adjective describes the dominant terrain feature of the area.
常見錯誤
5. A shortened way of saying 'country music' — a popular music style that uses guit
A shortened way of saying 'country music' — a popular music style that uses guitars, fiddles, and vocals to tell stories about everyday life, love, and hardship.
Naoko listens to country on her drive to work every morning.
informal: 'country' = country music
The radio station plays mostly country and some classic rock.
Kabir has been a fan of country since his grandfather played him old records.
Constanza learned to play guitar so she could join a country band.
- country music
the full, formal term
- country and western
older term, used mainly for traditional styles
- bluegrass
a related but distinct genre with more acoustic instruments and faster picking
文法句型
listen to country
play country
a country fan
用法筆記
Informal shortening used in conversation and radio contexts. In formal writing or when first introducing the topic, use the full term 'country music'. Note: predominantly used in American English.
常見錯誤
countries — adjective
- countriespositive
- more countriescomparative
- most countriessuperlative
1. Relating to the countryside or rural life — describing things that are typical o
Relating to the countryside or rural life — describing things that are typical of peaceful, natural areas outside cities, such as simple buildings, quiet roads, or traditional home decoration.
Jenna bought a country cottage with a big garden and stone walls.
country + noun describing rural style
The inn had a warm country style with wooden furniture and a fireplace.
Tamar and her husband enjoy a quiet country life away from the busy city streets.
Country roads wind through green hills and past small farming villages.
Dahlia decorated her kitchen in a charming country style with flower patterns.
文法句型
country + noun (country road, country life, country style)
用法筆記
Attributive only — this adjective must come directly before the noun it modifies ('a country cottage', not 'the cottage is country'). If you need a predicative form, rephrase using 'rustic' or 'rural' ('the cottage is very rustic').
常見錯誤
2. Relating to or suitable for country music — describing the genre itself, its per
Relating to or suitable for country music — describing the genre itself, its performers, instruments, or events.
Dahlia went to a country music festival in Nashville last summer.
country + noun describing music genre
Daniel plays in a country band that performs at local bars on weekends.
Eliska's voice is perfect for country songs with its warm and deep tone.
The country singer walked on stage wearing a cowboy hat and boots.
- country-and-western
more traditional and slightly dated term; sometimes used to emphasise the older style
- folk-country
a subgenre blending folk music with country elements
文法句型
country + noun (country music, country singer, country band)
用法筆記
Always used attributively before the noun it modifies. The most common collocations are 'country music', 'country singer', 'country band', and 'country song'. This sense is strongly associated with American culture and the southern United States.