国際

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 国際(こくさい) indicates a connection with relations or activities among countries.
• Basic usage: It often comes before another noun to give it an international character.
  • 国際交流 refers to exchange among countries.
  • 国際会議場 refers to a venue for international conferences.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Overseas and international
  • 海外(かいがい) focuses on a location outside one's own country; 国際 focuses on relations among countries.
• An adjectival form
  • 国際的な modifies a noun with the meaning 'international.'