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A2 adjective #473 よく出る 8分で読める

national

上位473

At the A1 level, 'national' is a word you might see on signs or in simple sentences about your country. It means something that belongs to the whole country, not just your house or your street. For example, a 'national holiday' is a day when everyone in the country stays home from work or school to celebrate. You might also hear about a 'national team' in sports, which is the group of players who play for your country against other countries. It is a big word, but it just means 'for the whole country.'

At the A2 level, you use 'national' to describe official things. You might talk about 'national parks,' which are beautiful places the government protects for everyone to visit. You might learn about the 'national anthem,' which is the special song for your country. At this level, you are starting to understand that 'national' is different from 'local.' If something is local, it is just in your town. If it is national, it is in every town in your country. It helps you talk about your identity and where you come from.

At the B1 level, 'national' becomes useful for discussing news and social issues. You can talk about 'national news,' which covers stories from all over the country. You might discuss 'national security' or 'national debt' in a basic way. You also use it to describe organizations that work across the whole country, like a 'national bank' or a 'national charity.' You understand that 'national' can also be a noun, meaning a person who is a citizen of a country, though this is less common than the adjective use.

At the B2 level, you use 'national' to discuss more complex topics like 'national identity' and 'national interests.' You can explain how a 'national curriculum' affects education or how 'national averages' are used in statistics to compare different groups. You are comfortable using the word in formal writing, such as essays about government policy or economic trends. You also start to see the difference between 'national' and 'federal' in countries with complex government systems, and you can use 'national' to describe cultural movements.

At the C1 level, 'national' is used in nuanced discussions about politics and sociology. You might analyze 'nationalism' (the belief in the superiority of one's nation) versus 'national identity.' You can discuss 'national sovereignty' and how it is affected by international treaties. You use the word to describe the 'national consciousness' or the 'national character' of a people. Your vocabulary includes collocations like 'national fabric' or 'national stage,' and you can use the word to argue for or against centralized government control.

At the C2 level, you master the subtle implications of 'national.' You can discuss the 'supranational' (entities above the national level, like the EU) and how they interact with 'national' interests. You use the word in academic or legal contexts to describe 'national jurisdiction' or 'national treatment' in trade law. You understand how 'national' can be used ironically or critically in literature to examine the concept of the nation-state. You can fluently switch between 'national,' 'domestic,' and 'state' to convey precise shades of meaning in high-level discourse.

練習する例文メモとヒント

national 30秒で

National means relating to a whole country, distinguishing it from local or international levels.
It is commonly used for official institutions like national parks, banks, and government agencies.
Cultural symbols such as flags, anthems, and holidays are described as national to show unity.
In sports, it refers to the team representing the entire country in competitions.

The word national is a foundational adjective in the English language, primarily used to describe things that belong to, relate to, or affect an entire nation or country. When we speak of something being national, we are distinguishing it from things that are local (limited to a city or town), regional (limited to a state or province), or international (involving multiple countries). It is a word that scales our perspective from the individual and the local up to the collective identity of a sovereign state.

Scope of Application: The term applies to government institutions, cultural symbols, economic indicators, and sports teams. For example, a national government oversees the whole country, whereas a municipal government only looks after one city. Similarly, a national park is protected by the country's central authority for the benefit of all citizens.

The athlete felt a deep sense of pride while wearing the national colors during the opening ceremony.

Institutional Context: In many countries, 'national' identifies organizations funded or managed by the state. The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK or the National Park Service in the US are prime examples. These entities provide services that are uniform across the country's borders.

The national debt has become a major topic of debate during the election cycle.

Cultural Identity: Beyond politics, 'national' describes cultural elements like anthems, flags, and holidays. These symbols are designed to foster a sense of unity and shared history among diverse populations within a single nation.

July 4th is a national holiday in the United States, celebrated with fireworks and parades.

The national anthem was played before the start of the championship game.

The museum houses the national archives, containing documents from the country's founding.

In summary, 'national' is a versatile word that bridges the gap between the individual and the state. It is used in news reports, history books, sports commentary, and daily conversation to describe the broad reach of laws, customs, and identities that define a country. Whether discussing national security, national averages in statistics, or a national dish, the word always points toward the collective whole of a nation.

Using 'national' correctly involves understanding its placement as an adjective and its role in compound nouns. It almost always precedes the noun it modifies. It functions to specify the scale of the noun, indicating that the subject is not restricted to a small area but is relevant to the entire country.

Modifying Institutions: When 'national' modifies an institution, it suggests official state status. For example, 'The national library' is the primary library of a country, often receiving a copy of every book published there.

The national gallery is hosting a new exhibition of 19th-century portraits.

Describing Events: Events that occur across the whole country are described as national. A 'national election' involves voters from every region choosing their representatives or leaders.

The government declared a national day of mourning following the tragedy.

The national curriculum ensures that all students learn the same core subjects.

Economic and Statistical Usage: Economists use 'national' to describe data for the whole country. 'National income' or 'Gross National Product' (GNP) are key metrics for measuring a country's economic health.

The national unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level in five years.

Our company is expanding from a local business to a national franchise.

The national weather service issued a warning about the approaching storm.

When using 'national' in sentences, consider if the context is formal or informal. In formal writing, it often refers to policy and law. In informal contexts, it might refer to sports or popular culture. Always ensure that the noun following 'national' is something that can logically span an entire country. For instance, 'national breakfast' is less common than 'national dish,' as the latter implies a cultural standard while the former is just a meal.

'National' is ubiquitous in media, politics, and education. You will hear it daily if you watch the news, read a newspaper, or follow sports. It is a key term for defining the boundaries of discussion, shifting focus from individual stories to the broader state of the country.

In the News: News anchors often say, 'And now for the national news,' to transition from local reports about traffic or local crimes to stories about the president, congress, or country-wide economic trends.

The story gained national attention after it was featured on the evening news.

In Sports: Sports fans use 'national' when referring to the team that represents their country in international competitions like the World Cup or the Olympics. They might say, 'I'm rooting for the national team.'

He was called up to play for the national soccer team for the first time.

The national anthem is played before every major sporting event.

In Politics: Politicians frequently use the word to appeal to a sense of unity. Phrases like 'national interest' or 'national security' are used to justify laws or actions that are meant to protect the whole country.

The president addressed the national security concerns in his latest speech.

The national census is conducted every ten years to count the population.

She works for a national non-profit organization that helps veterans.

In everyday life, you might see 'national' on signs for banks (e.g., National Bank), on government buildings, or in the names of large companies. It signals a level of scale and reliability. When a brand describes itself as a 'national brand,' it is telling consumers that its products are available everywhere in the country, not just in one region.

While 'national' is a common word, learners often confuse it with similar terms like 'nationwide,' 'federal,' or 'international.' Understanding these nuances is key to sounding like a native speaker.

National vs. Nationwide: 'National' is an adjective describing the nature or status of something (e.g., a national park). 'Nationwide' is often an adverb or adjective describing the extent or reach of something (e.g., the search was conducted nationwide). You wouldn't say 'a nationwide park.'

Correct: It is a national problem. Incorrect: It is a nationwide problem (though often used, 'national' is better for the quality of the problem).

National vs. Federal: In countries like the US, 'federal' refers specifically to the central government system. 'National' is broader and can refer to culture or the whole country. All federal laws are national, but not all national symbols are federal.

The national identity is shaped by history, not just federal laws.

The national borders are strictly monitored by the guard.

Confusion with 'Nation': Learners sometimes use the noun 'nation' where the adjective 'national' is required. For example, saying 'nation anthem' instead of 'national anthem.'

We must protect our national resources for future generations.

The national debt is a burden on the whole country.

He is a national hero who saved many lives.

Another common error is applying 'national' to things that are inherently local. You wouldn't usually talk about a 'national bus stop' unless it was part of a country-wide network like Greyhound. Be careful to match the scale of the adjective to the noun it describes. If it's just about your city, use 'local' or 'municipal' instead.

Choosing the right word to describe scale is essential for precision in English. While 'national' is the most common term for country-wide things, other words offer different shades of meaning.

Nationwide: Comparison: 'National' describes the status (a national park), while 'nationwide' describes the extent (a nationwide search). Use 'nationwide' when you want to emphasize that something is happening in every part of the country.

The national policy was implemented through a nationwide campaign.

Federal: Comparison: 'Federal' is more technical and political. It refers to the central government in a system where power is shared with states. Use 'federal' for laws, taxes, and agencies (e.g., the FBI).

The national museum is funded by the federal government.

The national airline also handles many domestic flights.

Public: Comparison: 'Public' means belonging to the people or the community. While many national things are public (like national parks), not all public things are national (like a public library in your town).

The national health system is a vital public service.

The national interest should always come before private gain.

The national pride was evident during the parade.

In summary, use 'national' for the status of things belonging to a country. Use 'nationwide' for the spread of an event. Use 'federal' for central government matters. Use 'domestic' for internal affairs vs. foreign ones. And use 'public' for things accessible to all citizens. Choosing correctly will make your English more precise and professional.

How Formal Is It?

フォーマル

ニュートラル

カジュアル

Child friendly

スラング

豆知識

The word 'national' didn't become common in English until the late 16th century, as the modern idea of a 'nation-state' began to form in Europe.

発音ガイド

UK /ˈnæʃ.ən.əl/

US /ˈnæʃ.ən.əl/

The primary stress is on the first syllable: NA-tion-al.

韻が合う語

rational fractional attractional interactional transactional passion-al (rare) fashionable (partial) passional

よくある間違い

Pronouncing the 'a' like 'nation' (nay-shun-al). It should be a short 'a' like in 'cat'.
Over-emphasizing the 'tion' part.
Making the 'al' sound like 'all'. It should be a soft 'uhl'.
Putting the stress on the second syllable.
Confusing it with 'notional' which has a different vowel sound.

難易度

読解 2/5

Easy to recognize in context as it appears in many common names and news titles.

ライティング 3/5

Requires care to distinguish from 'nationwide' or 'federal' in formal essays.

スピーキング 2/5

Commonly used in sports and travel talk; pronunciation is straightforward.

リスニング 2/5

Clearly articulated in news broadcasts and public announcements.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

Country Nation Place Whole People

次に学ぶ

International Federal Regional Domestic Sovereign

上級

Nationalism Supranational Jurisdiction Homogeneity Patriotism

知っておくべき文法

Adjective Order

A beautiful (opinion) large (size) national (origin/type) park.

Non-gradable Adjectives

You cannot say 'very national'. Use 'truly national' or 'purely national' instead.

Capitalization

Capitalize when part of a proper name: 'National Gallery', but not in 'a national problem'.

Noun Usage

A 'national' can refer to a citizen: 'He is a Spanish national'.

Prefixes

Use 'inter-' for between nations (international) and 'multi-' for many (multinational).

レベル別の例文

Today is a national holiday.

Aujourd'hui est un jour férié national.

Used as an adjective before the noun 'holiday'.

I like our national flag.

J'aime notre drapeau national.

Possessive 'our' + adjective 'national' + noun 'flag'.

He plays for the national team.

Il joue pour l'équipe nationale.

Definite article 'the' + 'national' + 'team'.

This is a national park.

C'est un parc national.

Indefinite article 'a' + 'national' + 'park'.

We sing the national anthem.

Nous chantons l'hymne national.

Direct object 'the national anthem'.

It is a national sport.

C'est un sport national.

Describing a sport's status in a country.

The national news is on TV.

Les informations nationales sont à la télé.

'News' is uncountable but used with 'the national'.

She is a national hero.

Elle est une héroïne nationale.

Adjective 'national' modifying the person 'hero'.

The national museum is very big.

Le musée national est très grand.

Subject of the sentence.

We have a national election this year.

Nous avons une élection nationale cette année.

Adjective describing a country-wide event.

The national language is English.

La langue nationale est l'anglais.

Defining the official language.

He works for the national bank.

Il travaille pour la banque nationale.

Prepositional phrase 'for the national bank'.

The national debt is growing.

La dette nationale augmente.

Economic term used as a subject.

They visited five national parks.

Ils ont visité cinq parcs nationaux.

Plural noun 'parks' modified by 'national'.

The national gallery has old paintings.

La galerie nationale possède des peintures anciennes.

Specific institution name.

Is there a national dress in your country?

Y a-t-il un costume national dans votre pays ?

Interrogative sentence.

The government is focused on national security.

Le gouvernement se concentre sur la sécurité nationale.

Compound concept 'national security'.

The story made national headlines.

L'histoire a fait la une des journaux nationaux.

Idiomatic use of 'headlines'.

We need a national strategy for climate change.

Nous avons besoin d'une stratégie nationale pour le changement climatique.

Abstract noun 'strategy' modified by 'national'.

The national average for house prices is rising.

La moyenne nationale des prix des maisons augmente.

Statistical term 'national average'.

She won the national championship in tennis.

Elle a remporté le championnat national de tennis.

Specific competition level.

The national airline offers many routes.

La compagnie aérienne nationale propose de nombreuses lignes.

Describing a state-owned or primary carrier.

It is a matter of national importance.

C'est une question d'importance nationale.

Prepositional phrase 'of national importance'.

The national archives are open to the public.

Les archives nationales sont ouvertes au public.

Plural subject 'archives'.

The national curriculum was revised last year.

Le programme scolaire national a été révisé l'année dernière.

Educational policy term.

The debate touched on the issue of national identity.

Le débat a abordé la question de l'identité nationale.

Sociological concept.

National interests often conflict with global goals.

Les intérêts nationaux entrent souvent en conflit avec les objectifs mondiaux.

Plural 'interests' modified by 'national'.

The company has a national presence in every state.

L'entreprise a une présence nationale dans chaque État.

Business term meaning country-wide reach.

The national census provides vital data for planning.

Le recensement national fournit des données vitales pour la planification.

Official government process.

He was a foreign national living in London.

C'était un ressortissant étranger vivant à Londres.

Used here as a noun meaning 'citizen'.

The national budget was announced by the minister.

Le budget national a été annoncé par le ministre.

Financial term.

The film explores the national character of the Irish.

Le film explore le caractère national des Irlandais.

Describing collective personality traits.

The rise of national sentiment led to political change.

La montée du sentiment national a conduit à un changement politique.

Abstract psychological state.

The treaty respects the national sovereignty of each state.

Le traité respecte la souveraineté nationale de chaque État.

Political science term.

The national fabric is woven from many diverse cultures.

Le tissu national est tissé à partir de nombreuses cultures diverses.

Metaphorical use of 'fabric'.

The issue was debated on the national stage.

La question a été débattue sur la scène nationale.

Idiom meaning 'in the country-wide public eye'.

National borders are becoming more porous in the digital age.

Les frontières nationales deviennent plus poreuses à l'ère du numérique.

Describing the changing nature of boundaries.

The project aims to foster national unity.

Le projet vise à favoriser l'unité nationale.

Infinitive phrase 'to foster national unity'.

The national consciousness was awakened by the event.

La conscience nationale a été éveillée par l'événement.

Describing a collective awareness.

The museum is a repository of the national heritage.

Le musée est un dépositaire du patrimoine national.

Formal term for cultural history.

The tension between national law and international norms is evident.

La tension entre le droit national et les normes internationales est évidente.

Legal comparison.

The discourse often conflates national pride with xenophobia.

Le discours confond souvent la fierté nationale et la xénophobie.

Critical analysis of the term.

The erosion of national autonomy is a concern for many.

L'érosion de l'autonomie nationale est une préoccupation pour beaucoup.

Complex noun phrase.

The national psyche was deeply scarred by the conflict.

La psyché nationale a été profondément marquée par le conflit.

Psychological metaphor for a whole people.

The policy seeks to balance national exigencies with global responsibilities.

La politique cherche à équilibrer les exigences nationales et les responsabilités mondiales.

High-level formal vocabulary 'exigencies'.

The national narrative is often a construct of the ruling elite.

Le récit national est souvent une construction de l'élite dirigeante.

Sociopolitical critique.

The national treatment clause ensures fair competition.

La clause de traitement national garantit une concurrence loyale.

Specific term in international trade law.

The film deconstructs the myth of national homogeneity.

Le film déconstruit le mythe de l'homogénéité nationale.

Academic use of 'deconstructs'.

類義語

nationwide countrywide public domestic state internal

反対語

local international private

よく使う組み合わせ

national anthem

national park

national security

national debt

national holiday

national identity

national interest

national team

national average

national hero

よく使うフレーズ

national level

national pride

national dish

national census

national curriculum

national emergency

national gallery

national grid

national service

national treasure

よく混同される語

national vs nationwide

Nationwide describes the physical spread (everywhere in the country), while national describes the status or belonging (to the country).

national vs federal

Federal refers to the central government system, while national is a broader term for the whole country's culture or identity.

national vs international

International means between nations; national means within one nation.

慣用句と表現

"national treasure"

A person or object that is highly valued by a nation for its cultural importance. It is a very high compliment.

The actress is a national treasure in the UK.

informal/journalistic

"national pastime"

An activity or sport that is very popular and traditional in a country. It defines the culture.

Baseball is often called the national pastime of America.

neutral

"matter of national importance"

Something that is extremely serious and affects the whole country. It requires immediate attention.

The energy crisis is a matter of national importance.

formal

"national stage"

The level of public attention or political activity that involves the whole country. It is where big decisions are made.

The young politician finally stepped onto the national stage.

journalistic

"national fabric"

The basic structure or essential qualities of a nation's society. It represents how people live together.

Immigration has become part of the national fabric.

literary/formal

"national consciousness"

A shared sense of identity and belonging among the people of a nation. It is a collective feeling.

The revolution awakened the national consciousness.

academic/formal

"national character"

The set of personality traits or values that are thought to be typical of a nation's people. It is a generalization.

Hospitality is often cited as part of the national character.

sociological

"national spirit"

The mood or attitude of a nation's people, especially during a difficult or exciting time. It shows resilience.

The victory boosted the national spirit.

neutral

"national interest"

The goals and ambitions of a country, especially in its relations with other countries. It is used in diplomacy.

The treaty was signed in the national interest.

formal/political

"national reach"

The ability of a company or organization to operate or be known across the entire country. It shows scale.

The charity has a national reach with offices in every state.

business

間違えやすい

national vs Nation

Both relate to a country.

Nation is a noun (the country itself); national is an adjective (describing something of the country).

The nation (noun) celebrated its national (adjective) day.

national vs Nationality

Both come from the same root.

Nationality is a noun referring to the legal status of being a citizen.

His nationality is French, but he plays for a national team in England.

national vs Nationalism

Similar spelling.

Nationalism is an ideology or belief system, often with political connotations.

Nationalism can be a strong force in politics, unlike a simple national holiday.

national vs Native

Both start with 'nat'.

Native refers to where someone was born or naturally belongs; national refers to the country as a political unit.

He is a native speaker of the national language.

national vs Notional

Similar sound.

Notional means existing only as an idea or theory, not in reality.

The national debt is real, not just a notional figure.

文型パターン

It is a national [Noun].

It is a national holiday.

The national [Noun] is [Adjective].

The national park is beautiful.

We need to focus on national [Noun].

We need to focus on national security.

The national average for [Noun] is [Number].

The national average for salary is $50,000.

The issue of national [Noun] remains a [Adjective] topic.

The issue of national identity remains a complex topic.

Balancing national [Noun] with global [Noun] is [Adjective].

Balancing national interests with global goals is challenging.

He is a [Adjective] national.

He is a foreign national.

The [Noun] gained national [Noun].

The story gained national attention.

語族

名詞

動詞

形容詞

使い方

frequency

Extremely high in news, politics, and sports.

よくある間違い

Using 'nation' as an adjective. → national anthem
You must use the adjective form 'national' to modify a noun, not the noun 'nation'.
Confusing 'national' with 'international'. → The national team played against another country.
'National' is one country; 'international' is between countries.
Saying 'very national'. → A truly national event.
'National' is not usually gradable. Use adverbs like 'truly' or 'completely' instead of 'very'.
Using 'national' for local things. → The local library (not national library).
Only use 'national' if the thing actually belongs to or serves the whole country.
Mispronouncing the first vowel. → /ˈnæʃ.ən.əl/
The 'a' should be short, not long like in the word 'nation'.

ヒント

Use for Scale

Use 'national' when you want to emphasize that a topic is not just a local issue but affects the entire country.

Adjective Placement

Always place 'national' before the noun it describes, such as 'national debt' or 'national pride'.

National vs. Nationwide

Use 'national' for the type of thing (national park) and 'nationwide' for the area it covers (nationwide search).

Pronunciation

Ensure the first 'a' is short like in 'apple'. Don't say 'nay-shun-al'.

Cultural Symbols

When talking about flags or anthems, 'national' is the most respectful and official word to use.

Formal Tone

In academic writing, 'national' helps define the scope of your research or data.

Market Reach

Describe a company as 'national' if it has customers or offices across the whole country.

Team Spirit

Rooting for the 'national team' is a common way to express patriotism during international games.

Policy Talk

Use 'national interest' to describe goals that benefit the whole country's population.

Word Family

Remember that 'nationality' is your legal status, while 'national' is the adjective describing country things.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of 'NAT' as 'Nation' and 'IONAL' as 'All'. National = Nation-All. It belongs to the ALL the people in the NATION.

視覚的連想

Imagine a giant flag covering a whole map of a country. That flag represents the 'national' scale.

Word Web

Nation Country Flag Anthem Park Government Identity Team

チャレンジ

Try to find three things in your room that are 'national' (e.g., a passport, a coin, a textbook from a national curriculum).

語源

The word 'national' comes from the Middle French word 'national', which was derived from 'nation'. The root is the Latin word 'natio', meaning 'birth', 'race', or 'class of persons'.

元の意味： It originally referred to things belonging to a particular race or group of people born in the same place.

It belongs to the Indo-European language family, specifically the Italic branch via Latin and French.

文化的な背景

Be careful when using 'national' in regions with strong separatist movements (like Scotland or Catalonia), as 'national' might refer to the smaller region or the larger state depending on who is speaking.

In the US, 'national' often contrasts with 'state' (e.g., National Guard vs. State Police). In the UK, it often refers to institutions like the BBC or NHS.

The National (an American indie rock band) National Geographic (a famous magazine and TV channel) The National Gallery (a famous art museum in London)

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Sports

National team
National championship
National record
National colors

Government

National security
National debt
National law
National election

Culture

National anthem
National holiday
National treasure
National identity

Environment

National park
National forest
National monument
National resource

Statistics

National average
National census
National trend
National survey

会話のきっかけ

"What is the most famous national park in your country?"

"Do you think having a national curriculum is good for students?"

"Who would you consider to be a national treasure in your culture?"

"How does your national team usually perform in the World Cup?"

"What is your favorite national holiday and how do you celebrate it?"

日記のテーマ

Describe what national identity means to you and how it affects your daily life.

If you could create a new national holiday, what would it celebrate and why?

Discuss the importance of protecting national parks for future generations.

Write about a national hero from your country and why they are respected.

Compare the benefits of national news versus local news in staying informed.

よくある質問

10 問

No, 'national' is only capitalized when it is part of a proper name, like 'The National Gallery' or 'National Geographic'. In general use, like 'a national problem', it is lowercase.

Yes, it can refer to a citizen of a country, especially in legal contexts like 'a foreign national'. However, its use as an adjective is much more common.

'National' refers to the whole country. 'Domestic' is often used in business or travel to mean 'not international'. For example, a 'domestic flight' stays within the country.

In the US, no. A national park is managed by the federal government for the whole country, while a state park is managed by a specific state government.

It is a statistical number calculated by taking data from the entire country. For example, the national average temperature is the average of all regions combined.

Generally, no. 'National' is a binary or absolute adjective. Something either relates to the nation or it doesn't. You can use 'truly' or 'purely' for emphasis.

It is the official song of a country, usually played at ceremonies, sports events, and on national holidays to show respect and unity.

Yes, it is a standard word in all varieties of English, though the specific institutions it refers to (like the NHS in the UK) will differ.

It refers to the protection of a country from threats like war, terrorism, or spying. It is a major focus for most governments.

It identifies the highest level of representation for a country in a particular sport.