Countries in W: List of countries that start with W

You are in the middle of the Petit Bac game and the theme is “country by letter”. But here we are, we ask you for a country starting with the letter W, and there it is, the black hole… Is there really a country with the letter W?

In this article, I will answer you clearly: no, no country whose name in French begins with the letter W exists. However, stay with me, because I’m going to explain some exceptions in English, interesting facts, and other ideas for winning if this question bothers you in a quiz or game.

Why does no country start with W in French?

The fact that there are no countries starting with W is mainly linked to linguistic evolution. In French, the letter “W” is rare and is used almost exclusively in words borrowed from other languages. It is a letter that is frequently found in languages ​​like German or English, but it remains marginal in French.

In short, official country names in French (from the original local languages ​​or translated) do not have a W in the first letter. When the French language adapted country names, those with W in the original language were often phonetically transformed.

Examples of adaptations:

• “Wales” (in English) becomes Wales in French.
• “Wallis and Futuna” remains close, but is not judged as an independent “country” because it is French territory.

And in English? The exceptions that count!

If the question is asked in another context or in English, there are two possible answers to remember:

1. Wales : It is a region of the United Kingdom, but it is referred to as a “constituent nation”. It could sometimes pass as a correct answer in English, but not in French.
2. Western Sahara (Western Sahara) : This disputed territory may appear in some English games and lists. In French, “Western Sahara” obviously begins with the letter S.

These two examples are exceptions, but technically valid in some languages… just not in French.

Other ways to answer if “country with the letter W” gets you stuck

Some games, like Petit Bac, sometimes accept territories or combinations. Here are some possible ways to avoid getting stuck:

• Wallis and Futuna : Yes, it is not a country, but an overseas territory of France. This can be accepted according to the rules.
• Washington, D.C. : Be careful, here again, it is not a country but a federal capital with UNITED STATES. This could work in a game (if we’re looking for locations).
• Wilayah (from the Arab world) : Although it’s not a specific country, if you play a more open game, it can be impressive to show off your general knowledge.

In summary: a W, but no French-speaking country!

So here it is: if you have to answer this question about countries starting with W, clearly explain that there are none in French. If the context allows, mention Wales Or Western Sahara but keeping in mind that these terms are mainly valid in English.

Need a plan B in the middle of a quiz or a small baccalaureate? Wallis and Futuna and other tips can save the day in some cases.

Now, the next time we put this glue on you, you will be ready! Good luck dominating at Petit Bac or impressing your friends with these fun facts.

Countries in T: List of countries that start with T Countries in L: List of countries that start with L Countries in D: List of countries that start with D Countries in X: List of countries that start with Countries in Q: List of countries that start with Q Which countries start with the letter E? The List of Countries in Alphabetical Order List of Central American countries from A to Z