Inklingo

How to Say "country" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “country” is “país” — use 'país' when referring to a sovereign nation with its own government and territory, like when asking someone's nationality.

paísA1

Use 'país' when referring to a sovereign nation with its own government and territory, like when asking someone's nationality.

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campo🔊A1

Use 'campo' to talk about the rural area outside of cities, the countryside, often in contrast to urban life.

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rural🔊A2

Use 'rural' as an adjective to describe things related to the countryside, similar to 'country life' or 'rural areas'.

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naciónB1

Use 'nación' when referring to a nation as a political entity, encompassing its people and government, often with a sense of shared identity.

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campesino🔊B1

Use 'campesino' as an adjective to describe things associated with the countryside or rural folk, like 'country music' or 'country style'.

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tierra🔊B1

Use 'tierra' in a more sentimental or emotional context, referring to one's homeland, native soil, or ancestral land.

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English → Spanish

país

NounA1General
Use 'país' when referring to a sovereign nation with its own government and territory, like when asking someone's nationality.

Examples

¿De qué país eres?

What country are you from?

campo

kahm-pohˈkampo

NounA1General
Use 'campo' to talk about the rural area outside of cities, the countryside, often in contrast to urban life.
A vast, open green field stretching to the horizon, representing the countryside, with a small red barn visible in the distance.

Examples

Mi abuela vive en el campo, lejos de la ciudad.

My grandmother lives in the countryside, far from the city.

Vimos muchas vacas en un campo verde.

We saw many cows in a green field.

Este fin de semana vamos de excursión al campo.

This weekend we're going on a trip to the country.

'El campo' vs 'Un campo'

Use 'el campo' (with 'the') to talk about the countryside in general. Use 'un campo' (with 'a') to talk about a specific, single field.

Country vs. Country

Mistake: “Quiero visitar el campo de México.”

Correction: To talk about a nation, use 'país': 'Quiero visitar el país de México.' Use 'campo' for the rural area within that nation: 'Me gusta el campo mexicano.'

rural

roo-RAHLruˈɾal

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'rural' as an adjective to describe things related to the countryside, similar to 'country life' or 'rural areas'.
A peaceful countryside scene with a small barn, a rolling green hill, and a wooden fence.

Examples

Mucha gente prefiere la tranquilidad de la vida rural.

Many people prefer the peace of country life.

El turismo rural ha crecido mucho en esta región.

Rural tourism has grown a lot in this region.

El gobierno quiere mejorar las escuelas en el medio rural.

The government wants to improve schools in rural areas.

One form for everyone

This word doesn't change based on gender. You can use it with 'masculine' words like 'el pueblo rural' or 'feminine' words like 'la casa rural' without changing the ending.

Making it plural

To talk about more than one thing, just add '-es' to the end: 'las zonas rurales' or 'los caminos rurales'.

Don't add an 'a' at the end

Mistake: “La zona rurala.”

Correction: La zona rural. Since it ends in 'l', it stays the same for both men and women words.

nación

NounB1Formal/General
Use 'nación' when referring to a nation as a political entity, encompassing its people and government, often with a sense of shared identity.

Examples

Cada nación tiene su propia bandera y sus tradiciones únicas.

Every nation has its own flag and its unique traditions.

campesino

kam-peh-SEE-nohkam.peˈsi.no

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'campesino' as an adjective to describe things associated with the countryside or rural folk, like 'country music' or 'country style'.
A rolling green landscape with a small cottage, a wooden fence, and distant hills.

Examples

Me gusta mucho la música campesina.

I really like country/folk music.

Lleva una vida muy campesina y sencilla.

He leads a very rural and simple life.

Comimos un guiso campesino delicioso.

We ate a delicious rustic stew.

Matching the Noun

This word must match what it describes. Use 'campesino' for masculine words (el aire campesino) and 'campesina' for feminine words (la comida campesina).

Confusing with 'el campo'

Mistake: “Saying 'la vida campo' instead of 'la vida campesina'.”

Correction: Use the adjective 'campesina' to describe the type of life, not the noun for 'field'.

tierra

TYEH-rrahˈtjera

NounB1Informal/Sentimental
Use 'tierra' in a more sentimental or emotional context, referring to one's homeland, native soil, or ancestral land.
A picturesque landscape featuring a winding path leading through vibrant green hills toward a small, welcoming cottage, symbolizing a return to one's native land.

Examples

Después de diez años, por fin regresó a su tierra.

After ten years, he finally returned to his homeland.

Extraño mucho la comida de mi tierra.

I really miss the food from my homeland.

País vs. Campo

The most common mistake is confusing 'país' (a nation like France or Japan) with 'campo' (the countryside). Remember, 'país' is about political borders and government, while 'campo' is about the geographical area outside cities.

Related Translations

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