Countries and Nationalities in English
Master the essential vocabulary and grammar to talk about where you're from and connect with people around the world
Foundation
Why Learn Countries and Nationalities in English?
Essential for Travel & Communication
Whether you're meeting new people, traveling abroad, or understanding global news, knowing how to talk about countries and nationalities is fundamental to English conversation.
  • Introduce yourself and others
  • Discuss cultural backgrounds
  • Navigate international settings
Important Capitalization Rule
In English, country names, nationalities, and languages always start with capital letters - this is different from many other languages!
Always capitalize: France, French, Spanish, Brazilian, Japanese
Key Countries and Their Nationalities
Let's explore some common examples showing the relationship between country names and nationalities, along with the primary language spoken.
Australia
Nationality: Australian
Language: English
Brazil
Nationality: Brazilian
Language: Portuguese
France
Nationality: French
Language: French
Japan
Nationality: Japanese
Language: Japanese
Mexico
Nationality: Mexican
Language: Spanish
Grammar Pattern
The "-ian" Suffix Rule for Nationalities
1
Common Pattern
Many nationalities are formed by adding -ian to the country name
  • Brazil → Brazilian
  • Argentina → Argentinian
  • Italy → Italian
  • Russia → Russian
2
Watch for Exceptions
Not all countries follow this pattern - some have unique forms
  • Mexico → Mexican (not Mexicoan)
  • Japan → Japanese (not Japanian)
  • France → French (completely different)
  • Spain → Spanish (not Spainian)
Using "To Be" + "From" + Country

Key Rule: When stating which country someone is from, you must use the preposition "from" before the country name.
Singular Examples
I am from Canada.
She is from Spain.
He is from China.
Plural Examples
We are from Germany.
They are from India.
You are from Poland.
Common Mistake
I am Canada. ❌
I am from Canada. ✓
Never forget "from" when using country names!
Using "To Be" + Nationality

Key Difference: When using nationality words, you do NOT use "from" - just the verb "to be" directly with the nationality.
Correct Structure
I am Canadian.
He is Spanish.
We are French.
They are Japanese.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I am from Canadian. ❌
She is from Italian. ❌
Remember: "From" is only used with country names, not with nationality adjectives.
Complete Sentence Examples
See how country names and nationalities work together in real conversations:
Example 1
He is from Brazil.
He is Brazilian.
Example 2
She is from France.
She is French.
Example 3
They are from Japan.
They are Japanese.
Notice how you can express the same information in two different ways - both are correct and commonly used!
Special Cases
Countries That Require Articles
Countries with "The"
Some countries require the definite article "the" before their names:
  • The United States
  • The United Kingdom
  • The Netherlands
  • The Philippines
Example: I am from the United States.
Countries Without Articles
Most countries do not use any article:
  • France (not "the France")
  • Brazil (not "the Brazil")
  • China (not "the China")
  • Italy (not "the Italy")
Example: She is from France.
Interactive Practice: Talking About Yourself
01
Ask the Question
Where are you from?
What is your nationality?
02
Give Your Answer
I am from [country].
I am [nationality].
03
Practice Examples
I am from Italy. I am Italian.
I am from Korea. I am Korean.
Try It Yourself!
Practice introducing yourself using both structures. Think about friends or family members from different countries (or make them up) and create sentences about them.
Keep Practicing and Improving
Use Flashcards
Create cards with country names on one side and nationalities on the other for regular practice
Watch & Listen
Listen to pronunciation videos and repeat to master the correct sounds
Remember Capitalization
Always capitalize countries, nationalities, and languages in English
Use these structures confidently to introduce yourself and talk about others. With regular practice, discussing countries and nationalities will become natural!
Thank you and best of luck with your English learning journey!