隣国

• Reading: りんごく
• Romaji: ringoku
• Kanji breakdown: 隣 (rin) — neighbouring, adjacent; 国 (goku) — country
• Pronunciation: /ɾiɴ.ɡo.kɯ/

Meaning

Neighbouring country; adjacent country. A nation that shares a border or is geographically close.

A noun used in political, diplomatic, and geographic contexts. For Japan, this typically refers to countries like South Korea, China, and Russia. Common in news about international relations: 隣国との関係 (relations with neighbouring countries). More formal than 隣の国, which is conversational.

Examples

1. 隣国との外交関係が改善の兆しを見せている。 Diplomatic relations with neighboring countries are showing signs of improvement.
2. 文化交流を通じて隣国との理解を深めたい。 We want to deepen mutual understanding with neighboring countries through cultural exchange.
3. 地震の被害に対して隣国から支援が届いた。 Aid arrived from neighboring countries in response to the earthquake damage.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, diplomacy, news, geography

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 隣 (rin, neighbouring/adjacent) + 国 (goku/koku, country). Literally 'adjacent country,' a straightforward compound used in diplomatic and geographic discourse.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal