国こく士し

こ

く

し

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

distinguished citizen; patriot

A person of outstanding character and devotion to their country; often carries a somewhat formal or literary tone.

彼かれは真しんの国こく士しとして尊そん敬けいされている。
He is respected as a true patriot.

Usage patterns

自じ称しょう国こく士しa self-proclaimed patriot
彼かれは自じ称しょう国こく士しだが、実じっ際さいに国くにのために何なにかしたわけではない。
He calls himself a patriot, but he hasn't actually done anything for the country.
国こく士し然ぜんとした〈人ひと〉someone who carries himself like a great patriot (often used ironically)
彼かれは国こく士し然ぜんとした態たい度どで演えん説ぜつを始はじめた。
He began his speech with the air of a great patriot.

Kanji

国country
士gentleman, scholar, samurai

Related words

愛あい国こく者しゃ
愛国者 is the common, everyday word for a patriot, while 国士 is a more literary term reserved for someone of exceptional character and service to their nation.
志し士し
志士 refers to a person of high ideals who works for a cause (often used for Edo-period activists), while 国士 more broadly praises someone's outstanding character and devotion to the country.

Don't confuse with

国こく司し
国司 (identical reading) was a historical provincial governor appointed by the imperial court, while 国士 means a distinguished, patriotic person of great character.

Word family

国こく士し無む双そう
peerless person; unrivaled talent · thirteen orphans (mahjong)

Written forms

国こく士しUsage98%
Standard kanji spelling; the only written form.
こくしUsage2%

Etymology

From 国 (country) + 士 (gentleman, scholar, warrior), originally referring to a person of high standing who serves the nation.