Meaning
A sovereign state is a political entity with full independence and self-governance, possessing supreme authority within its territory without external interference. This term is fundamental in international law and political science, referring to countries that have complete control over their internal and external affairs.
Usage
This is a formal political and legal term used primarily in diplomatic contexts, international relations discussions, news reports, and academic writing. It emphasizes the legal status and political independence of a nation rather than simply referring to a country in everyday conversation. Commonly appears in discussions about international law, territorial integrity, and national sovereignty.
Examples
- 01联合国现有193个主权国家成员。.The United Nations currently has 193 sovereign state members.
- 02每个主权国家都有权自主决定自己的内政外交政策。.Every sovereign state has the right to independently determine its own domestic and foreign policies.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个主权国家
Common collocations
- 承认主权国家to recognize a sovereign state
- 主权国家地位status as a sovereign state
- 尊重主权国家to respect sovereign states
Antonyms
Origin
The term combines 主权 (sovereignty), which emerged in modern Chinese political vocabulary through translations of Western political concepts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with 国家 (nation-state). It reflects China's adoption of Western international law terminology during modernization.