country, nation, state这三个词都表示“国家”的意思,有时可以互换,但这三种表达在语义上各有侧重。如:
friendly countries/nations/states 友好国家
mother nation/country 祖国
Does the nation/country want war? 全体国民都需要战争吗?
1. country “国家”着重指疆土而言。“乡下、农村”相当于countryside, 但它指风景而言。如:
This country is in the south of Europe. 这个国家在欧洲南部。
Germany and France are European countries. 德国和法国是欧洲国家。
The countryside around Nanjing is beautiful at this time of the year.
country music 乡村音乐 country life 乡下生活
2. nation “国家”着重指人民而言。如:
Two friendly nations support each other. 两个友好国家互相支持。
3. state “国家”着重指政权而言。如:
I’d like to borrow a copy of “The State and Revolution”.我想借一本《国家与革命》。
The state is an organ of violence at service of class rule. 国家是阶级统治的暴力机器。