países
“países” means “countries” in Spanish (sovereign nations).
countries
Also: nations, lands
📝 In Action
Hay muchos países diferentes en el mundo.
A1There are many different countries in the world.
Los países europeos tienen una historia muy compleja.
A2The European nations have a very complex history.
La cooperación entre los países es esencial para resolver problemas globales.
B1Cooperation between countries is essential to solve global problems.
Vocabulary Collections
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: países
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'países'?
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👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Old French word 'païs,' which itself originated from the Late Latin word *pagensis*, meaning 'of the district' or 'inhabitant of a district.' Over time, the meaning evolved from a small area to an entire nation.
First recorded: 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'países' have an accent mark?
The accent mark (tilde) on the 'í' is used to force the separation of the vowels 'a' and 'í' into two distinct syllables (pa-Í-ses). Without the accent, Spanish speakers might try to blend them into one sound, which would be incorrect.
Is 'países' the same as 'naciones'?
They are very similar synonyms. 'Países' usually refers to the physical or political territory, while 'naciones' often emphasizes the collective group of people, culture, or identity.