Countries in English are part of the basic vocabulary every learner needs. Knowing how to say them correctly helps you answer simple questions like “Where are you from? and talk about places around the world.

In this guide, you’ll find a list of countries in English with pronunciation, organized by continent. We also include examples of nationalities to help you expand your vocabulary faster.

Learning the names of countries in English is a great start, but vocabulary becomes much easier when you practice it in real conversations. That’s where the right learning environment can make a big difference.

Practice English vocabulary with real conversations

Learning country names is just the first step. With Papora, you can practice pronunciation and build vocabulary through unlimited live classes with expert teachers and more than 500 interactive lessons.

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How can learning countries in English help you?

Knowing the names of countries in English helps you talk about places, travel, and answer common questions like “Where are you from?” It’s part of the basic vocabulary every learner needs.

It also helps you understand nationalities and describe where people come from. These words appear often in everyday conversations, so learning them early makes communication easier.

For this reason, countries and nationalities are usually introduced at the beginner level when learning English.

Countries in English by Continent (with Pronunciation)

Below you’ll find a list of countries in English organized by continent, along with their pronunciation. This will help you learn how these names are written and said in everyday English.

We start with Europe and then move to other regions of the world.

Europe

Country Pronunciation
Albania /ælˈbeɪniə/
Germany /ˈdʒɜːrməni/
Belgium /ˈbeldʒəm/
Belarus /ˌbeləˈruːs/
Cyprus /ˈsaɪprəs/
Croatia /kroʊˈeɪʃə/
Denmark /ˈdenmɑːrk/
Spain /speɪn/
Finland /ˈfɪnlænd/
France /fræns/
Wales /weɪlz/
Greece /ɡriːs/
Hungary /ˈhʌŋɡəri/
England /ˈɪŋɡlənd/
Ireland /ˈaɪərlənd/
Iceland /ˈaɪslənd/
Italy /ˈɪtəli/
Luxembourg /ˈlʌksəmbɜːrɡ/
Moldova /mɒlˈdoʊvə/
Norway /ˈnɔːrweɪ/
Netherlands /ˈneðərləndz/
Poland /ˈpoʊlənd/
Portugal /ˈpɔːrtʃəɡəl/
United Kingdom /juːˈnaɪtɪd ˈkɪŋdəm/
Czech Republic /tʃek rɪˈpʌblɪk/
Russia /ˈrʌʃə/
Türkiye /ˈtɜːrkiː/
Ukraine /juːˈkreɪn/

South America

Country Pronunciation
Argentina /ˌɑːrdʒənˈtiːnə/
Bolivia /bəˈlɪviə/
Brazil /brəˈzɪl/
Chile /ˈtʃɪli/
Colombia /kəˈlʌmbiə/
Ecuador /ˈekwədɔːr/
Paraguay /ˈpærəɡwaɪ/
Peru /pəˈruː/
Uruguay /ˈjʊərəɡwaɪ/
Venezuela /ˌvenəˈzweɪlə/

Central America

Country Pronunciation
Belize /bəˈliːz/
Costa Rica /ˌkɒstə ˈriːkə/
El Salvador /el ˈsælvədɔːr/
Guatemala /ˌɡwɑːtəˈmɑːlə/
Honduras /hɒnˈdʊərəs/
Nicaragua /ˌnɪkəˈrɑːɡwə/
Panama /ˌpænəˈmɑː/

North America and Carribean

Country Pronunciation
Belize /bəˈliːz/
Canada /ˈkænədə/
Cuba /ˈkjuːbə/
United States /juːˈnaɪtɪd steɪts/
Greenland /ˈɡriːnlænd/
Mexico /ˈmeksɪkoʊ/
Puerto Rico /ˌpwertoʊ ˈriːkoʊ/
Dominican Republic /dəˈmɪnɪkən rɪˈpʌblɪk/

Africa

Country Pronunciation
Algeria /ælˈdʒɪəriə/
Burkina Faso /bɜːrˌkiːnə ˈfɑːsoʊ/
Cape Verde /keɪp ˈvɜːrdeɪ/
Cameroon /ˌkæməˈruːn/
Egypt /ˈiːdʒɪpt/
Ethiopia /ˌiːθiˈoʊpiə/
Equatorial Guinea /ˌekwəˈtɔːriəl ˈɡɪni/
Kenya /ˈkenjə/
Morocco /məˈrɒkoʊ/
Mauritius /məˈrɪʃəs/

Asia

Country Pronunciation
Afghanistan /æfˈɡænɪstæn/
Bangladesh /ˌbæŋɡləˈdeʃ/
Bahrain /bɑːˈreɪn/
Bhutan /buːˈtɑːn/
Cambodia /kæmˈboʊdiə/
China /ˈtʃaɪnə/
Korea /kəˈriːə/
Iraq /ɪˈrɑːk/
Iran /ɪˈrɑːn/
Japan /dʒəˈpæn/
Kazakhstan /ˌkæzækˈstɑːn/
Singapore /ˈsɪŋəpɔːr/
Thailand /ˈtaɪlænd/

Oceania

Country Pronunciation
Australia /ɒˈstreɪliə/
Fiji /ˈfiːdʒiː/
New Zealand /ˌnjuː ˈziːlənd/

Nationalities in English

Now, an important part of learning country vocabulary is also knowing how to say nationalities. That's why we've included a list with some examples that might help you.

However, if you'd like to learn more about this topic, you can read our article on Nationalities in English: How to Say Them?

Country in English Nationality
Germany German
Argentina Argentinian
Australia Australian
Bolivia Bolivian
Brazil Brazilian
United Kingdom British
Canada Canadian
Chile Chilean
China Chinese
Colombia Colombian
Costa Rica Costa Rican
Cuba Cuban
Dominican Republic Dominican
Ecuador Ecuadorian
Egypt Egyptian
Spain Spanish
United States American
France French
Guatemala Guatemalan
Honduras Honduran
Hungary Hungarian
India Indian
Ireland Irish
Italy Italian
Japan Japanese
Morocco Moroccan
Mexico Mexican
Netherlands Dutch
Nicaragua Nicaraguan
Panama Panamanian
Paraguay Paraguayan
Peru Peruvian
Portugal Portuguese
Russia Russian
El Salvador Salvadorian
South Africa South African
Switzerland Swiss
Ukraine Ukrainian
Uruguay Uruguayan
Venezuela Venezuelan

Memorize country names in English

Learning country names takes practice. You don’t need to memorize them in order, but repeating them regularly will help you remember them faster.

One of the best ways to learn them is by using the words in conversation or by looking at maps and flags while practicing pronunciation.

Tricks to memorize countries in English

If you need to remember them for a test or practice your vocabulary, these simple techniques can help.

Repeat over and over:

Repeat the country names out loud in order. Cover the previous ones as you move through the list. When you finish, try writing the names again without looking.

Use a world map to locate yourself:

Take a blank world map and write the country names you remember. You can also use a globe and name the countries you see at random, then check your answers afterward.

“Print a world map, color-code it, and write the names in bold. Stick it above your bed. Before going to sleep and before waking up in the morning, you'll find yourself looking at the map and learning naturally.”

Mish

Native English teacher - Teaches on all social media platforms as @speakenglishwithmish

Learn more about each country

Try searching for different countries in English and reading basic information about them. When you see the name of a country repeatedly while learning about its culture, location, or history, it becomes much easier to remember.

Use apps and games

Apps and online games can make learning country names and nationalities easier. Tools like Quizlet, Kahoot, or language apps turn vocabulary into flashcards, quizzes, and mini-games.

This helps you repeat the words regularly and remember them faster without feeling like you’re studying.

“Quizlet is a great tool for memorizing vocabulary; it's not just flashcards, but they create quizzes and games with vocabulary to help make learning more interactive.”

Charlotte Edgell

Native English teacher at @english_in_athens, with over 10 years of experience.

Ask for help from someone who knows English

Ask someone to ask you the list out loud, preferably someone with good pronunciation or a native speaker, and repeat the exercise until you get all the country names right in English.

“The best way to learn English vocabulary is through active recall. Active recall is a study method that keeps you engaged with the learning material. It works wonders for studying.”

Benjamin MacNeil

English teacher with more than 6 years of experience

Well, we hope you found this list helpful. Don't forget to use some tricks to memorize English words more easily.

Good luck and best wishes!

Frequently asked questions about countries in English

How many countries are there in the world?

There are 195 countries in the world: 193 UN member states and 2 observer states (the Vatican and Palestine). However, in English learning resources you will usually study the most common country names first.

What is the best way to learn country names in English?

The best way is to combine memorization with real practice. Learning vocabulary becomes easier when you repeat the words and use them in conversations. Platforms like Papora help you practice pronunciation and vocabulary through live classes with expert teachers and more than 500 interactive lessons available anytime.