全国

• Pinyin: quán guó
• Hanzi breakdown: 全 (quán) — complete, whole; 国 (guó) = 囗 (enclosure) + 玉 (jade), representing a bordered territory

Meaning

Nationwide; the whole country; across the nation. Refers to the entire country.

Used to describe something that spans or applies to the entire nation. Very common in news, official language, and everyday speech when talking about national events, policies, or trends. Appears in phrases like 全国各地 (all parts of the country) and 全国人民 (the people of the entire nation).

Examples

1. 这个消息传遍了全国。 This news has spread across the whole country.
2. 全国很多地方都在下雨。 Many places across the country are having rain.
3. 他是全国有名的医生。 He is a famous doctor nationwide.

Usage Guide

Context: news, geography, official language

Tone: broad

Do Say

• 这部电影在全国上映了。(This movie is showing nationwide.)
• 全国各地的天气都不一样。(The weather is different in every part of the country.)

Don't Say

• 说某个城市时不要用全国 (Don't use 全国 when talking about just one city or region — 全国 means the entire country; for a specific area use 全市 or 全省)

Origin & History

全 (quán, complete/whole) + 国 (guó, country/nation). Literally 'the whole country' — encompassing the entire nation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal