Meanings of 公
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About 公
Podcast: 公
Podcast: 公
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AI Study Notes for 公
公 (gōng) vs 共同 (gòngtóng) — use 公 for 'public' or 'common' in a general sense, while 共同 emphasizes a shared action or experience.
Imagine a group of people (公) coming together in a public park, sharing stories and enjoying the day. The character's structure has components that suggest community and openness, much like how '公' sounds similar to 'gong,' the sound of a bell that calls everyone to gather.
Learners often confuse 公 with 私 (sī), which means 'private.' Remember that 公 is used in more formal and collective contexts, while 私 is personal. Common collocations include 公共交通 (public transportation) and 公平 (fairness). Pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning.
Although 公 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it is foundational for understanding concepts related to community and fairness, which are prevalent in HSK vocabulary. Students should focus on how it appears in phrases like 公共 (public) and how it contrasts with 私.
The concept of 公 is significant in Chinese culture, particularly in the context of community and social harmony. It reflects the Confucian value of prioritizing the common good over individual interests.
Learners often mistakenly use 公 when they should use 私, resulting in phrases like '公的生活' (public life) instead of the correct '私的生活' (private life). Always ensure the context aligns with public versus private concepts.
Pronunciation of 公
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Etymology of 公
Originally a pictograph of a vessel for holding liquid. The original meaning is now written as 瓮, with the 瓦 (pottery) component added at the bottom. The current meaning "public" is a phonetic loan.
To divide 八 what is private 厶
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 公?
Decomposition of 公
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 公?
Write 公
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Practice writing 公 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 公
公 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 13 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
这路____交车从我们学校门口过。
This bus route passes by our school gate.
Example Sentences for 公 (10)
Cultural Notes for 公
The concept of 公 is significant in Chinese culture, particularly in the context of community and social harmony. It reflects the Confucian value of prioritizing the common good over individual interests.
Word Family of 公
Compound Meaning
What does 松 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 公
公 can mean 'public', 'fair', or even denote a title like 'Duke'. Its meaning varies depending on the context in which it is used.