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

Related Words

Related: 独立(どくりつ) (independence)

Compare: 占領地(せんりょうち) (occupied territory)

general

Added 2026.3.9 21:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

16000/16073_shokuminchi