compatriot
C1formal, literary, journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A person from the same country as another.
A person from the same region, organization, or group, sharing a common background or allegiance; sometimes used figuratively to denote a fellow member of a profession or community.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes shared nationality. Can imply a sense of fellowship or solidarity. Often used in political, historical, or rhetorical contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British formal writing.
Connotations
Neutral to positive, emphasizing shared identity. In political discourse, can carry patriotic or nationalistic overtones.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in both varieties, used more in written than spoken English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
compatriot of [someone]compatriot from [country/region]compatriot in [place/field]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms specifically with 'compatriot'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in international business contexts discussing home-country colleagues.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and sociology texts discussing national identity.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. More likely in news or formal speeches.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The compatriot solidarity was evident during the crisis.
American English
- Compatriot athletes often train together before the Olympics.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She met a compatriot while travelling in Japan.
- The author's works are deeply admired by his compatriots back home.
- The diplomat's primary duty was to protect the rights of her compatriots living overseas.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COM (together) + PATRIOT (someone who loves their country) = a person together with you in patriotism, from the same country.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATION IS A FAMILY (compatriots as siblings in the national family).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'коллега' (colleague) or 'земляк' (fellow countryman from the same region). 'Compatriot' specifically implies shared citizenship, not just regional origin or workplace.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean 'colleague' in a non-national context (e.g., *'my compatriots at the office').
- Misspelling as 'compatriot' (missing the 'r').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'compatriot' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not typically. It strongly implies shared nationality or citizenship, not just a shared city or region. For that, use 'fellow citizen' (of the city) or 'fellow townsman'.
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word. In everyday conversation, people are more likely to say 'someone from my country' or 'a fellow [Nationality]' (e.g., a fellow Canadian).
A 'patriot' is someone who loves and vigorously supports their country. A 'compatriot' is simply someone from the same country as you; they may or may not be patriotic.
Yes, though it's less common. As an adjective, it means 'of the same country', e.g., 'compatriot soldiers' means soldiers from the same nation.
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