nationalism

/ˈnæʃnəlɪzəm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnæʃnəlɪzəm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈna-sh(ə-)nə-ˌli-zəm/ (ame, mw)

nationalism — noun

1. The belief that a people who share a common history, language, or culture deserv

1.名詞B2
釋義

The belief that a people who share a common history, language, or culture deserve to form and govern their own independent country.

例句

In the 1960s, nationalism swept across Africa as Kenya demanded control over its own government.

collocation: nationalism swept across [region]

Zuri's grandfather wrote newspaper articles calling for nationalism and an end to foreign rule in their country.

calling for + nationalism

同義詞
  • self-determination

    the right of a people to decide their own political status; narrower and more legal than nationalism

  • independence movement

    the organised effort to achieve a country's freedom; more concrete than nationalism as an abstract belief

  • separatism

    the desire to break away from an existing country; often carries a more negative tone than nationalism

反義詞
  • colonialism

    the policy of one country controlling another; directly opposed to nationalist independence

  • imperialism

    the practice of extending a country's power over other nations; the opposite of nationalist self-rule

文法句型

nationalism + verb (swept, grew, spread)

rise/wave of + nationalism

用法筆記

This sense focuses on political self-determination and is generally neutral or positive. In history textbooks, nationalism is often described as a force that ended colonial empires and created new nations.

常見錯誤

❌The nationalism of Quebec wants to leave Canada.
✅The nationalist movement in Quebec wants Quebec to leave Canada.
💡'Nationalism' is an idea, not an organisation; use 'nationalist movement' for the group of people.

2. A strong feeling of pride and loyalty toward one's own country, often combined w

2.名詞B2
釋義

A strong feeling of pride and loyalty toward one's own country, often combined with the idea that one's country ranks above all others.

例句

Ayesha noticed that the nationalism in her town made shop owners refuse to serve foreign tourists.

nationalism + negative consequence in a community

Extreme nationalism can lead people to look down on visitors from other countries.

extreme nationalism as subject + verb phrase

同義詞
  • patriotism

    love of one's country without hostility to others; generally positive in tone

  • chauvinism

    an aggressive, exaggerated belief in the superiority of one's own country; stronger and more negative than nationalism

  • jingoism

    extreme nationalism that supports a warlike foreign policy; the most negative of the three

反義詞
  • cosmopolitanism

    the idea that all people belong to a single global community rather than any one nation

  • internationalism

    a belief in cooperation between nations for shared goals

文法句型

extreme/blind/narrow + nationalism

nationalism + verb (leads to, breeds, fuels)

用法筆記

This sense often carries a critical tone — the speaker or writer implies that the love of country has become too strong or has led to negative attitudes toward outsiders. The related word patriotism (愛國心) does not carry this negative judgment.

常見錯誤

❌I feel a lot of nationalism for Taiwan.
✅I feel a lot of pride in Taiwan.
💡For a positive, personal feeling about your own country, use 'patriotism' or 'pride'; 'nationalism' in this sense often suggests an overly strong or negative attitude.