Countries and Nationalities

Hook: “Where are you from?” is one of the first questions anyone asks a new person. Here’s how to answer it — and how to talk about anyone’s nationality.

Notice: “I’m from Japan. I’m Japanese.” “She’s from Brazil. She’s Brazilian.” “They’re from Egypt. They’re Egyptian.”

The rule

Country → Nationality often changes the ending:

  • -a → -an: Korea → Korean, America → American
  • -any → -an: Germany → German
  • -ese: China → Chinese, Japan → Japanese, Vietnam → Vietnamese
  • Irregular: France → French, Spain → Spanish, England → English, the Netherlands → Dutch

Practice

  1. Brazil → ? (Answer: Brazilian)
  2. France → ? (Answer: French)
  3. Match 8 countries to their nationality word.
  4. “Where ___ you from?” (Answer: are)
  5. Write one true sentence about your own nationality.

Try it next: our Word Chain Challenge using the “Countries & Nationalities” word set.

Try the Word Chain Challenge →

This lesson supports: “I can present myself… and ask/answer questions about personal details” (Spoken Interaction).

Azizul Hakim
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