1.
great powers, major nations
The powerful nations of the world, especially in a historical context referring to the dominant imperial or military powers.
列強がアジアに進出した。
The great powers advanced into Asia.
日本は明治時代に列強の仲間入りを果たした。
Japan joined the ranks of the great powers during the Meiji era.
19世紀の列強は植民地獲得を競い合った。
The great powers of the 19th century competed with each other to acquire colonies.
Primarily a historical term referring to the dominant world powers, especially during the 19th and early 20th centuries (Britain, France, Germany, Russia, the United States, etc.). Can also be used in modern contexts to refer to powerful nations.
Literally means "row of strong ones" (列 = row + 強 = strong).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 列強の一つ (one of the great powers)
- 列強に並ぶ (stand alongside the great powers)
- 欧米列強 (Western great powers)