nación
nah-SYOHN
📝 In Action
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.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Ending
Nación is always a feminine noun. In Spanish, most nouns that end in -ción (like canción or información) are feminine, so use 'la nación'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'Nación' and 'País'
Mistake: "Using 'país' when referring to the people or political identity."
Correction: 'País' usually means the geographical territory. 'Nación' is better for the collective identity, culture, and government.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
While país is common in everyday chat, nación is often preferred in news, political speeches, and academic discussions because it sounds more formal and emphasizes the collective identity.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: nación
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'nación' correctly?
📚 More Resources
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.