本文將以「語彙分析」、「構成元素式定義」、以及「過程化思考」這三種方式來試著回答「何謂『國族』（nation）」這個「國族與國族主義」研究領域的最基本發問。首先登場的語彙分析，一方面將探究「nation」這個英文語彙在語義學上的演變情形，另一方面也將回溯「民族」及其他相關中文語彙在中文世界的起源和傳播過程。再者，在構成元素式定義這一節，本文將逐一探討多數學者用來定義「國族」這個概念的「構成元素」，包括「客觀構成元素」（e.g.，國家、語言和族群），也包括的「主觀構成元素」（e.g.，國族意識）。由於對上述這種「構成元素式定義」的不滿意，筆者將在最後提出所謂的「過程化思考」，試著摒棄將「國族」視為一種「實質本體」的思考方式，在指出「國族」相關現象的五種性質－脈絡性、互動性、多重性、競爭性、以及流動性－之後，以一種關係性、過程性和動態性的角度來解答「何謂『國族』」這個發問。

This essay addresses one of the most significant questions in the study of nations and nationalism: What is a "nation"? Three possible strategies for answering this question are examined: (1) vocabulary analysis; (2) defining the term through its constitutive elements; and (3) a process-orientation approach. With respect to vocabulary analysis, the evolving meaning of the English term "nation" will first be explored, followed by a discussion of the origin and diffusion of "Minzu" (民族) and other Chinese terms relevant to "nation." Next, the essay will explore the strategy of defining the term "nation" through its constitutive elements by examining the so-called "objective elements" (e.g., state, language, and ethnic group) and "subjective elements" (e.g., national consciousness) in sequence. After demonstrating the inadequacy of this strategy, the essay identifies five intrinsic qualities related to the term "nation": contextuality, interactivity, multiformity, competitiveness, and fluidity. Finally, an alternative approach is proposed in which "nation" is understood not as a static entity, but rather as a relational and dynamic process.