Countries

Brunei is a small, oil-rich country on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. As a proper noun, it refers to the nation led by a sultan, with ceremonial and administrative roles combining monarchy and state governance. The term is used in geopolitical contexts as well as in travel, history, and news discussions.

Bulgaria is a country in Southeast Europe, officially named the Republic of Bulgaria. It is a sovereign state with a rich history, diverse culture, and a landscape ranging from the Black Sea coastline to mountainous interior. In everyday use, it also refers to the people and language of Bulgaria (Bulgarian).

Burundi is a landlocked East African nation known for its lakes, hills, and culture. As a proper noun referring to a country, it is used in formal writing and journalism, with stress typically on the first syllable. Correct pronunciation is crucial for clear communication in international contexts and travel.

Canada is a proper noun referring to the North American country, known for its vast landscapes and bilingual heritage. It denotes a political federation of ten provinces and three territories. In everyday usage, it also evokes national identity, geography, and cultural associations typical of North America.

Colombia is a proper noun referring to the South American country. It is pronounced with three syllables and a stress on the third syllable in many contexts, and it has distinct vowel quality that can be challenging for non-native speakers. The term also appears in contexts like culture, geography, and politics, and is often followed by adjectives such as 'Colombian' or 'Colombia's'.

Comoros is a sovereign island nation in the Indian Ocean, located at the northern end of the Mozambican Channel between Madagascar and Mozambique. The name refers to the Comoro Islands, with a pronunciation that typically stresses the second syllable. In English, it denotes the country, its people, and anything pertaining thereto, including language and culture. (2–4 sentences, ~60 words)

Croatia is a Southeast European country on the Adriatic Sea, known for its medieval architecture and coastal scenery. Used as the name of the nation and its people, the term denotes the Republic of Croatia or its inhabitants. In pronunciation, most English speakers stress the second syllable, with a soft initial /k/ and a final /ə/ or /iə/ depending on accent.

Cuba is a proper noun referring to the Caribbean island nation known for its history, culture, and socialist government. In everyday English, it is used to denote the country and its people or products, and appears in phrases such as travel destinations, foreign policy discussions, and cultural references. The word is typically stressed on the first syllable, /ˈkjuː.bə/ in standard pronunciations.

Cyprus is a proper noun referring to the eastern Mediterranean island nation. It is commonly pronounced in everyday speech as two syllables, with stress on the first: /ˈsaɪ.prəs/ in many varieties, though some speakers may reduce the second syllable. The term also denotes the island’s historic name and identity, including its geopolitical and cultural associations.

Djibouti is a small East African nation and strategic port, pronounced with three syllables and a French-influenced flavor. It is commonly used as a country name in geopolitical contexts and in travel or news discussions. The word combines local and colonial-era phonology, yielding its characteristic rhythm and vowel color.

Dominica is a female given name and a Caribbean island nation. In English, it is typically pronounced with a stress on the second syllable and features clear vowel distinctions that can be affected by accent. The name can be heard in personal introductions and cultural discussions, often requiring careful attention to vowel quality and final consonant articulation to avoid conflation with similar names or places.

Ecuador is a masculine noun naming the South American country located on the equator. In English usage, it refers to the nation and, by extension, its citizens or things pertaining to it. The term is used in formal and informal contexts and commonly appears in travel, geography, and international relations discussions.

Egypt is a proper noun for the northeastern African country, commonly referring to its ancient civilization and modern state. It’s a two-syllable place name with stress typically on the first syllable in English usage. The word has a short, emphasized first vowel and a trailing, lightly released consonant cluster that can challenge non-native speakers. In context, it appears as a country name or cultural reference, often preceded by 'in' or 'from'.

Eritrea is a northeast African country on the Red Sea. As a proper noun, it refers to the nation and its people, languages, and culture. Used in geopolitical, historical, and travel contexts, it is commonly preceded by “the,” as in the Eritrean government or the Eritrean people.