also: こくちゅう · こくじゅう
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', adverb
all over the country; throughout the nation
Used to describe something happening or existing everywhere within a country. Often used adverbially with で or as a noun modifier with の.
そのニュースは国中に広まった。
The news spread all over the country.
国中の人々がその祭りを楽しみにしている。
People throughout the nation are looking forward to the festival.
Alternate reading listed; not common in modern usage.
Mixed kana spelling that clarifies the reading くにじゅう; avoids potential misreading as こくちゅう.
全国 is more formal and often used in official contexts, while 国中 is more colloquial and emphasizes the idea of 'everywhere within the country'.
Compound of 国 (kuni, 'country') and 中 (jū, 'throughout'). The reading くにじゅう is the standard modern form; こくちゅう and こくじゅう are less common Sino-Japanese readings.