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一等国 (いっとうこく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

一いっ等とう国こく

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Meanings

1

first-class power; first-rate nation

Refers to a nation considered among the most powerful or advanced, often in historical or geopolitical contexts.

日本にほんはかつて一いっ等とう国こくを目め指ざしていた。

Japan once aimed to become a first-class power.

一いっ等とう国こくとしての責せき任にんを果はたすべきだ。

We should fulfill our responsibilities as a first-rate nation.

Kanji

一one, one radical (no.1)
等etc., and so forth, class (first)
国country

Related words

大たい国こく
大国 means 'major power' or 'large country' and is more common in modern usage, while 一等国 is a more specific term often used in historical or ranking contexts.

Written forms

一いっ等とう国こく
Standard kanji spelling.
１いっ等とう国こく
Variant using numeral 1; less common but seen in some contexts.

Etymology

Compound of 一等 (first class) + 国 (country). The term emerged in the late 19th to early 20th century when nations were often ranked by power and influence.