Meanings of 公
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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.
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.
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
Origin
What kind of character is 公?
Decomposition of 公
Parts
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How to say public in Chinese
“public” in Chinese is公
The character 公 (gōng) primarily means 'public' or 'common.' It is used in contexts referring to collective ownership, fairness, and the concept of something being open or accessible to all. Additionally, it can denote titles of nobility, such as 'Duke,' and is often associated with the idea of justice and equality.
When to use 公
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.
公 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这路____交车从我们学校门口过。
This bus route passes by our school gate.
Example sentences for 公 (22)
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Word Family of 公
Characters with 公
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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.
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