植民地(しょくみんち)

しょくみんち
noun
colony; colonial territory
1. colony; colonial territory
A territory under the political control of a distant country, typically exploited economically. Used in historical and political contexts to discuss the era of European and Japanese imperialism.
この国(くに)はかつて植民地(しょくみんち)だった。
This country was once a colony.
植民地(しょくみんち)支配(しはい)は多(おお)くの問題(もんだい)を残(のこ)した。
Colonial rule left behind many problems.
第二次(だいにじ)世界(せかい)大戦(たいせん)の後(あと)、多(おお)くの植民地(しょくみんち)が独立(どくりつ)を果(は)たした。
After World War II, many colonies achieved independence.

USAGE:
Primarily a historical and political term. Appears frequently in history textbooks, news discussions about postcolonial issues, and academic writing.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 植民地(しょくみんち)支配(しはい) (colonial rule)
  • 植民地(しょくみんち)時代(じだい) (colonial era)
  • 植民地(しょくみんち)にする (to colonize)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 属国(ぞっこく): vassal state — a state subordinate to another, not necessarily colonized
  • 海外(かいがい)領土(りょうど): overseas territory — a more neutral modern term
general
Added 2026.3.9 21:17
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