nación
“nación” means “nation” in Spanish (political and cultural entity).
nation, country
Also: state
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Cada nación tiene su propia bandera y sus tradiciones únicas.
A2Every nation has its own flag and its unique traditions.
El presidente se dirigió a la nación para anunciar las nuevas leyes económicas.
B1The president addressed the nation to announce the new economic laws.
La autodeterminación de las naciones es un principio fundamental del derecho internacional.
C1The self-determination of nations is a fundamental principle of international law.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: nación
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'nación' correctly?
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👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word *nātio*, which originally meant 'birth' or 'tribe.' Over time, this meaning evolved to refer to a people united by common descent or culture, and later, to the modern political state.
First recorded: 13th century (in Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'nación' and 'país'?
While often interchangeable, 'país' focuses on the physical territory and land (like 'the country's mountains'), whereas 'nación' focuses on the people, their shared culture, and their political identity (like 'the nation's spirit').
How do I remember the gender of 'nación'?
Words that end in -CIÓN are almost always feminine in Spanish. Just remember the pattern: la acción, la condición, la nación.