# Countries and languages in Esperanto: -ujo or -io?

Source: https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/countries-languages/
Language: en
Updated: 2026-10-11

> France is Francujo or Francio, Poland Pollando, Canada Kanado. Country names, nationalities and languages in Esperanto, with -ujo, -io and -lando.

Esperanto names a country with a noun ending in *-o* and a capital letter: ***Kanado*** "Canada", ***Brazilo*** "Brazil", ***Pollando*** "Poland". The people are *kanadano*, *brazilano* or *polo*, and the language is an adjective: ***la pola*** "Polish". Most countries are named after the land, but some after the people, so France is *Francujo* or *Francio*, from *franco* "a Frenchman". Pronunciation guides put the stressed syllable in capitals; [stress](https://esperantopedia.org/learn/alphabet/) is always on the second-to-last syllable.

## Two systems for country names

PMEG, the reference grammar, and the Academy of Esperanto sort country names into two kinds. **Land-based** names are plain roots: *Kanado* names the land, and the suffix [*-an-*](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/suffixes/) "inhabitant" makes the person, *kanadano*. **People-based** names start from the word for the people, *franco*, and add *-uj-*, *-i-* or *-land-* for "land of".

| Type | Country | Person | Adjective, language |
|---|---|---|---|
| land-based | *Kanado* | *kanadano* | *kanada* |
| people-based, *-ujo* | *Francujo* | *franco* | *franca* |
| people-based, *-io* | *Francio* | *franco* | *franca* |
| people-based, *-lando* | *Pollando* | *polo* | *pola* |

Land-based names are the majority: about 60 of the 203 names in the Academy's 2009 list are people-based (our count), mostly in Europe.

A name in *-ujo* is always people-based. A name in *-io* or *-lando* may be either: *Aŭstralio* and *Nederlando* are land-based (there are no *aŭstraloj* or *nederoj*), while *Francio* and *Pollando* are people-based. When unsure, add *-an-* to the country name (*pollandano*); PMEG says this is never wrong.

## Countries named after the land

These names take *-an-* for the person and *-a* for the adjective: *Brazilo* → *brazilano*, *brazila*.

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation | Person, adjective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | *Kanado* | ka-NA-do | *kanadano, kanada* |
| United States | *Usono* | u-SO-no | *usonano, usona* |
| Mexico | *Meksiko* | mek-SI-ko | *meksikano, meksika* |
| Brazil | *Brazilo* | bra-ZI-lo | *brazilano, brazila* |
| Argentina | *Argentino* | ar-gen-TI-no | *argentinano, argentina* |
| Chile | *Ĉilio* | ĉi-LI-o | *ĉiliano, ĉilia* |
| Australia | *Aŭstralio* | aŭs-tra-LI-o | *aŭstraliano, aŭstralia* |
| New Zealand | *Nov-Zelando* | nov-ze-LAN-do | *nov-zelandano, nov-zelanda* |
| South Africa | *Sud-Afriko* | sud-a-FRI-ko | *sud-afrikano, sud-afrika* |
| India | *Barato* | ba-RA-to | *baratano, barata* |
| Iran | *Irano* | i-RA-no | *iranano, irana* |
| Israel | *Israelo* | is-ra-E-lo | *israelano, israela* |
| Philippines | *Filipinoj* | fi-li-PI-noj | *filipinano, filipina* |
| Netherlands | *Nederlando* | ne-der-LAN-do | *nederlandano, nederlanda* |
| Ireland | *Irlando* | ir-LAN-do | *irlandano, irlanda* |

*Usono* is a full word, not an abbreviation: Americans proposed it around 1900 as *Usonia* (ReVo), and it became official in 2007. *Barato* became official in 2023; the older *Hindujo* mainly means the whole Indian subcontinent. *Filipinoj* is plural: *en Filipinoj*.

## Countries named after the people

Here the people word comes first and has no suffix: *franco*, *germano*, *polo*. The country adds *-uj-*, *-i-* or *-land-*, and the adjective is the people word plus *-a*.

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation | Person, adjective |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | *Francujo, Francio* | fran-CU-jo, fran-CI-o | *franco, franca* |
| Germany | *Germanujo, Germanio* | ger-ma-NU-jo, ger-ma-NI-o | *germano, germana* |
| Spain | *Hispanujo, Hispanio* | his-pa-NU-jo, his-pa-NI-o | *hispano, hispana* |
| Italy | *Italujo, Italio* | i-ta-LU-jo, i-ta-LI-o | *italo, itala* |
| Portugal | *Portugalujo, Portugalio* | por-tu-ga-LU-jo, por-tu-ga-LI-o | *portugalo, portugala* |
| Poland | *Pollando* (also *Polujo, Polio*) | pol-LAN-do | *polo, pola* |
| Russia | *Rusujo, Rusio* (also *Ruslando*) | ru-SU-jo, ru-SI-o | *ruso, rusa* |
| Ukraine | *Ukrainujo, Ukrainio* | u-kra-i-NU-jo, u-kra-i-NI-o | *ukraino, ukraina* |
| Czechia | *Ĉeĥujo, Ĉeĥio* | ĉe-ĤU-jo, ĉe-ĤI-o | *ĉeĥo, ĉeĥa* |
| Greece | *Grekujo, Grekio* | gre-KU-jo, gre-KI-o | *greko, greka* |
| Turkey | *Turkujo, Turkio* | tur-KU-jo, tur-KI-o | *turko, turka* |
| Sweden | *Svedujo, Svedio* | sve-DU-jo, sve-DI-o | *svedo, sveda* |
| Norway | *Norvegujo, Norvegio* | nor-ve-GU-jo, nor-ve-GI-o | *norvego, norvega* |
| Finland | *Finnlando* | finn-LAN-do | *finno, finna* |
| Switzerland | *Svislando* (also *Svisujo, Svisio*) | svis-LAN-do | *sviso, svisa* |
| Austria | *Aŭstrujo, Aŭstrio* | aŭs-TRU-jo, aŭs-TRI-o | *aŭstro, aŭstra* |
| Britain, UK | *Britujo, Britio* | bri-TU-jo, bri-TI-o | *brito, brita* |
| England | *Anglujo, Anglio* | an-GLU-jo, an-GLI-o | *anglo, angla* |
| China | *Ĉinujo, Ĉinio* | ĉi-NU-jo, ĉi-NI-o | *ĉino, ĉina* |
| Japan | *Japanujo, Japanio* | ja-pa-NU-jo, ja-pa-NI-o | *japano, japana* |
| Korea | *Koreujo, Koreio* | ko-re-U-jo, ko-re-I-o | *koreo, korea* |
| Vietnam | *Vjetnamujo, Vjetnamio* | vjet-na-MU-jo, vjet-na-MI-o | *vjetnamo, vjetnama* |
| Thailand | *Tajlando* | taj-LAN-do | *tajo, taja* |

*Britujo* is the whole state, *Anglujo* its southern part, England.

## -ujo, -io or -lando: which one?

All three work, and PMEG says every Esperanto speaker understands *-ujo* and *-io*. *-Uj-* is the oldest: the *Fundamento*'s dictionary lists *Turk'uj'* "Turkey", and the same suffix gives *Esperantujo*, the world of Esperanto speakers. *-I-* is unofficial but very common. The [Academy](https://esperantopedia.org/about/academy/) has ruled on it four times:

| Year | Decision about *-io* |
|---|---|
| 1922 | The Language Committee advised against *-io* for country names. |
| 1974 | 8th Official Addition: advice cancelled, but *-io* neither recommended nor made official (33 yes, 5 no, 3 abstentions). |
| 2009 | The recommended list shows *-ujo* forms first, then *-io*, noting that *-io* is unofficial. |
| 2023 | 10th Official Addition: names of all 193 UN member states are now official, with *-ujo* forms; *-io* "remains unofficial". |

*-Land-* appears in six people-based names on the 2009 list: *Finnlando*, *Pollando*, *Skotlando*, *Svazilando*, *Svislando* and *Tajlando*. The Academy says *Polujo* and *Svisujo* are fine too.

Do not mix the two systems for one country. PMEG warns against *koreanoj en Koreujo*: say *koreoj* with *Koreujo* or *Koreio*.

## People: a Pole, a Canadian, the French

For a land-based name, add *-an-*: *Kanado* → *kanadano*. For a people-based name, use the plain people word: *la francoj*, *la poloj*. You can also add *-an-* to the country name (*francujano*, *franciano*, *pollandano*), but never to the people word: *francanoj* would mean "members of a Frenchman". Women take *-in-*: *polino*, *kanadanino*.

*Mi estas polo.* – "I am a Pole." *Ŝi estas kanadanino.* – "She is Canadian." Strictly, *rusujano* is anyone living in Rusujo and *ruso* a member of the Russian people, but the difference is often ignored.

## Language names

A language name is the adjective, usually with *la*: ***la pola*** or *la pola lingvo* "Polish". Use *-e* for "in that language": *paroli pole* "to speak Polish". PMEG also gives *angligi* "to translate into English".

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| English | *la angla* | la AN-gla |
| French | *la franca* | la FRAN-ca |
| German | *la germana* | la ger-MA-na |
| Spanish | *la hispana* | la his-PA-na |
| Russian | *la rusa* | la RU-sa |
| Chinese | *la ĉina* | la ĈI-na |
| Japanese | *la japana* | la ja-PA-na |
| Arabic | *la araba* | la a-RA-ba |
| Hebrew | *la hebrea* | la he-BRE-a |
| Persian | *la persa* | la PER-sa |
| Hindi | *la hindia* | la hin-DI-a |
| Swahili | *la svahila* | la sva-HI-la |
| Latin | *Latino* | la-TI-no |
| Esperanto | *Esperanto* | es-pe-RAN-to |

Some languages have no matching country. *La persa* comes from the *persoj*, the largest people of Iran, called *Persujo* until 1935. Hindi is *la hindia* (official since 2023), because *hinda* relates to the whole Indian subcontinent. Language names in *-o* take no *la*: *Mi parolas Esperanton.* – "I speak Esperanto."

## Where are you from?

| Esperanto | English |
|---|---|
| *De kie vi venas?* | Where are you from? |
| *El kiu lando vi venas?* | Which country are you from? |
| *Mi venas el Pollando.* | I come from Poland. |
| *Mi estas polo.* / *Mi estas polino.* | I am Polish (a man / a woman). |
| *Mi loĝas en Kanado, sed mi naskiĝis en Brazilo.* | I live in Canada, but I was born in Brazil. |
| *Kiun lingvon vi parolas hejme?* | Which language do you speak at home? |
| *Mi parolas la polan kaj iom la anglan.* | I speak Polish and a little English. |
| *Mia denaska lingvo estas la pola.* | My native language is Polish. |

*El* "out of" gives the place of origin ([prepositions](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/prepositions/)). After *paroli*, the language is the object, so its adjective takes *-n*: *la polan*.

## Capital letters and the article

| Kind of word | Capital letter? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| country | always | *Francujo*, *Kanado* |
| person from a country | usually small | *franco*, *kanadano* |
| language | usually small | *la franca*, *la pola* |
| language name in *-o* | capital | *Esperanto*, *Latino* |

Capitals on peoples and languages are possible but less usual, says PMEG. Country names take no [*la*](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/article/): *Mi loĝas en Francujo.* Plural names such as *(la) Filipinoj* may take it. Months take a capital (*Oktobro*), days do not (*lundo*): see [days and months](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/days-months/). For where Esperanto is spoken, see [Esperanto around the world](https://esperantopedia.org/about/countries/).

## Common questions

### Is it Francujo or Francio?

Both mean France. *Francujo* is the traditional form, built from Fundamental parts, and the one the Academy uses in its official definitions; *Francio* is unofficial but very common. PMEG says both are fully usable, so choose one and keep to it.

### How do you say "I am American" or "I am Polish"?

Use a noun: *Mi estas usonano* (man), *Mi estas usonanino* (woman); *Mi estas polo*, *Mi estas polino*.

### What are the names of languages in Esperanto?

The adjective of the people or country, usually with *la*: *la angla* "English", *la franca* "French", *la ĉina* "Chinese". Only *Esperanto* and a few others in *-o* have no *la*.

### Are nationalities and languages capitalised in Esperanto?

Usually not: *franco*, *la pola*. Country names and language names in *-o* (*Esperanto*, *Latino*) take a capital.

## Sources

- [PMEG: Landoj, popoloj kaj lingvoj](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/gramatiko/propraj_nomoj/landoj_popoloj_lingvoj.html)
- [PMEG: Majuskloj ĉe propraj nomoj](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/gramatiko/propraj_nomoj/majuskloj.html)
- [PMEG: La ĉe propraj nomoj](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/gramatiko/difiniloj/la/propraj_nomoj.html)
- [PMEG: El (origin)](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/gramatiko/rolmontriloj/rolvortetoj/direktaj_rolvortetoj/el.html)
- [Akademio: La Akademio kaj la landnomoj](https://www.akademio-de-esperanto.org/decidoj/landnomoj/index.html)
- [Akademio: Listo de Rekomendataj Landnomoj (2009)](https://www.akademio-de-esperanto.org/decidoj/landnomoj/listo_de_rekomendataj_landnomoj/index.html)
- [Akademio: Oka Oficiala Aldono (1974), landnomoj and -io](https://www.akademio-de-esperanto.org/aktoj/aktoj2/8oa.html)
- [Akademio: Deka Oficiala Aldono (2023)](https://www.akademio-de-esperanto.org/decidoj/10oa.html)
- [Akademio: Universala Vortaro (Fundamento)](https://www.akademio-de-esperanto.org/fundamento/universala_vortaro.html)
- [ReVo: -uj](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/uj.html), [Usono](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/uson.html), [Irano](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/iran.html)
- [Tatoeba: #474395, #431690, #11442766](https://tatoeba.org/en/sentences/show/474395) (CC BY 2.0 FR)