Ⅰ. country “国家”着重指疆土而言。“乡下、农村”相当于countryside, 但它指风景而言。如：
① This country is in the south of Europe. 这个国家在欧洲南部。
② Germany and France are European countries. 德国和法国是欧洲国家。
③ The countryside around Nanjing is beautiful at this time of the year.
Ⅱ. state “国家”着重指政权而言。如：
① I’d like to borrow a copy of “The State and Revolution”.我想借一本《国家与革命》。
② The state is an organ of violence at service of class rule. 国家是阶级统治的暴力机器。
Ⅲ. nation “国家”着重指人民而言。如：
Two friendly nations support each other. 两个友好国家互相支持。