NAY-shuhn
/ˈneɪʃən/
nation is pronounced NAY-shuhn (/ˈneɪʃən/). Nation refers to a large group of people who share a common government, culture, language, or territory. It can also denote a sovereign state or country as a political and social entity. The concept encompasses collective identity, citizenship, and shared institutions, often shaping national policies and international relations.
Nation refers to a large group of people who share a common government, culture, language, or territory. It can also denote a sovereign state or country as a political and social entity. The concept encompasses collective identity, citizenship, and shared institutions, often shaping national policies and international relations.
"The nation celebrated its Independence Day with parades and speeches."
"Citizens across the nation voiced concerns about economic reform."
"She studied the nation’s history to understand its current politics."
Nation is pronounced with two syllables: NA-shən. In IPA: US/UK/AU /ˈneɪ.ʃən/. Start with the long A as in cake, then a soft shun-sound. The stress is on the first syllable. Tip: keep the second vowel relaxed and short. Listen for the quick, light ‘sh’ followed by a schwa. Audio reference: [pronunciation] will provide a model close to /ˈneɪ.ʃən/.
Common errors include misplacing stress (pronouncing na-TION) and overpronouncing the final vowel as a full ‘ee’ sound. Another mistake is merging the syllables too slowly, making it sound like four syllables. Correction: keep the stress on the first syllable, use a short, relaxed schwa in the second syllable, and avoid a drawn-out ending. Ensure the /n/ before the /ʃ/ is clear and not elided.
In US, UK, and AU, /ˈneɪ.ʃən/ remains similar, but rhotacization varies: US tends to be less rhotic in some contexts, but /n/ and /ʃ/ are consistent. UK often features crisper consonants and slightly reduced vowel reduction in fast speech. AU may have a more centralized vowel quality in unstressed syllables and a more relaxed final schwa. Overall, the main differences lie in vowel quality and rhythm rather than core consonant sounds.
The difficulty lies in the two consonant clusters /n/ and /ʃ/ adjacent with a rapid transition, plus the mid-short schwa in the second syllable. Learners sometimes overemphasize the /ʃ/ or blur the /ɪə/ or /ɪ/ quality, creating a mis-timed glottal or vowel length. Focus on a clean /n/ release, a precise /ʃ/ blend, and a quick, relaxed /ən/ ending.
A unique aspect is maintaining two-syllable rhythm with stress on the first syllable while preventing the second syllable from becoming a full vowel length. You’ll often hear a subtle reduction to /ə/ in the second syllable, so the word sounds like nai-shən rather than nay-shaahn in rapid speech. The mouth transitions from a slightly open jaw for /neɪ/ to a relaxed, rounded position for /ʃən/.
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Nation comes from the Old French word nacion, from Latin natio, nat- meaning birth or people. The Latin root nat- signifies birth or origin, extending to “people” as a nation or tribe. The concept evolved in medieval Europe where nacion referred to a people, tribe, or group sharing a common language and customs, later aligning with the idea of a political state. In English, nation emerged in the 13th–14th centuries, initially retaining broader senses of people or birth. By the 16th century, the sense of a sovereign political community gained prominence, especially with the rise of centralized monarchies and later modern nation-states. The word carries social and political connotations of collective identity, sovereignty, and territorial boundaries, often used in discussions of patriotism, national policy, and international relations. The term also integrates with compounds like nationalism, nationalize, and nationality, reflecting evolving political philosophies and citizenship concepts across centuries.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "nation" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "nation" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "nation"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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