noun
China (archaic); Korea (archaic)
Archaic term used in classical Japanese texts to refer to China or Korea. The specific referent depends on context. Not used in modern Japanese; modern terms are 中国 for China and 韓国 (かんこく) for South Korea.
古い文献には「からくに」という言葉が中国や朝鮮を指して使われている。
In old documents, the word 'karakuni' is used to refer to China or Korea.
Modern standard term for South Korea; 韓国 read からくに is archaic.
Archaic kanji spelling; historically used to refer to China or Korea.
Kana spelling of the archaic reading; useful for search and clarity.
Archaic kanji spelling; historically used to refer to Korea, but now 韓国 is read かんこく for modern South Korea.
From から (ancient name for China/Korea) + くに (country). The exact origin of から is uncertain, but it appears in many old compounds referring to foreign lands, especially China and Korea.