Countries & Nationalities

This lesson introduces country names and their corresponding nationalities (demonyms). You will learn common patterns, irregular forms, and how to use nationality words in sentences.

• Country names are proper nouns and are capitalized: France, Japan, Brazil.
• Nationality adjectives (and demonyms) are also capitalized: French, Japanese, Brazilian.
• Many nationalities follow common endings (-an, -ese, -ish, -i), but some are irregular (Dutch, Greek).
• Nationality words can be used as adjectives ('a Spanish consultant') or as nouns ('a Spaniard').

Always capitalize country names and nationalities. Decide whether you need an adjective or a noun form.

• Country and nationality words are capitalized: France, French.
• Use nationality adjectives before nouns: a German company, an Irish employee.
• Use the noun form to refer to people: She is a Brazilian. The French attended the meeting.

When in doubt, use the adjective form before a noun and the noun form when referring to people.

Be aware of universal pitfalls when using country and nationality words.

• Not capitalizing nationalities or country names.
• Confusing the adjective and noun forms (e.g., using 'Spanish' vs 'Spaniard' incorrectly).
• Adding incorrect endings by direct translation (creating non-existent forms).
• Using 'the' incorrectly before a nationality adjective when you mean the adjective form (compare: 'the French' vs 'French cuisine').

Memorize irregular demonyms (Dutch, Greek, Filipino) and practice adjective vs noun usage.