German NOUN C1 Rank 15138

der Nationalstaat

nation-state

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Meanings

der Nationalstaat

nation-state

A state whose territory and population largely correspond to a nation, that is, a group of people with a shared language, culture, and history. The modern concept of the nation-state emerged in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries.

EXAMPLE

Die Gründung des Deutschen Reiches 1871 gilt als ein entscheidender Schritt zur Bildung eines deutschen Nationalstaats.

The founding of the German Empire in 1871 is considered a decisive step toward the formation of a German nation-state.

Usage tips

Compound word

The word is made up of 'National-' (from the noun 'die Nation' — the nation) and 'Staat' (state). It describes a political concept in which a state is based on a shared nation (culture, language, history).

EXAMPLE

Die Idee des Nationalstaats prägte das 19. Jahrhundert in Europa.

The idea of the nation-state shaped the 19th century in Europe.

Register and context

'Nationalstaat' (nation-state) is a technical term from history and political science. It is usually used when talking about the emergence and development of states or about political theories.

EXAMPLE

Im Geschichtsunterricht diskutierten wir die Vor- und Nachteile des Nationalstaats.

In history class, we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the nation-state.

Typical collocations

Since it is an abstract concept, the word is often combined with other abstract nouns. Common phrases are 'die Entstehung des Nationalstaats' (the emergence of the nation-state), 'das Konzept des Nationalstaats' (the concept of the nation-state), or 'ein souveräner Nationalstaat' (a sovereign nation-state).

EXAMPLE

Viele Historiker erforschen die Entstehung der europäischen Nationalstaaten.

Many historians research the emergence of European nation-states.

Compare with

Nation

confusable

Nationalstaat vs Nation

nation

The Nation is a community of people connected, for example, by culture, language, and history. The Nationalstaat, by contrast, is the sovereign state whose population and territory largely correspond to such a nation. Use Nation for the people and Nationalstaat for the political form of the state.

Nationalstaat

Das gemeinsame Gebiet und die staatliche Regierung bilden einen Nationalstaat.

The shared territory and government constitute a nation-state.

Nation

Die gemeinsame Sprache und Geschichte verbinden die Menschen zu einer Nation.

Their shared language and history unite the people as a nation.

Open full word page: Nation

In real life

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