province
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the provinces
All areas of a country that lie outside the capital and other large, important cities. The term can have a derogatory meaning and suggest a lack of cosmopolitanism.
Nach vielen Jahren in der Großstadt ist sie wieder in die Provinz gezogen.
After many years in the big city, she moved back to the provinces.
The meaning of 'Provinz' depends on the context. If it refers to a specific country, e.g. 'die kanadische Provinz' (the Canadian province), it is a neutral administrative unit. If it is used generally, it often means, in a derogatory way, 'not the big city'.
Die Provinz Québec ist der französischsprachige Teil Kanadas.
The province of Québec is the French-speaking part of Canada.
When 'die Provinz' is used generally for areas outside major cities, the word often has a negative connotation. It can suggest boredom, a lack of culture, or narrow-mindedness. The related adjective is 'provinziell' (provincial).
Sie wollte nicht ihr ganzes Leben in der Provinz verbringen.
She didn't want to spend her whole life in the provinces.
In the general meaning, 'Provinz' is almost always used with the preposition 'in'. You live 'in der Provinz' (in the provinces; dative) or move 'in die Provinz' (to the provinces; accusative).
Seine Eltern leben immer noch in der Provinz.
His parents still live in the provinces.
country / countryside / land
'das Land' and 'die Provinz' can both refer to areas outside large cities. 'das Land' usually sounds neutral and describes a rural area with villages, fields, or nature. 'die Provinz' can also mean such an area, but it sometimes sounds derogatory, as if a place were unimportant or not modern. In addition, 'Provinz' can be an administrative unit in some countries, similar to a federal state. The words can be confused because both have to do with regions. For everyday life and nature, 'das Land' is usually the better choice; for administration in countries like Canada or Italy, 'die Provinz' is more precise.
Meine Tante lebt in einer kleinen Provinz im Norden Italiens.
My aunt lives in a small province in northern Italy.
Am Wochenende fahren wir aufs Land, weil es dort ruhiger ist.
At the weekend, we are going to the countryside because it is quieter there.