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公共 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
公共gōnggòngpublicHSK 4, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #2850, Medium
公共gōnggòngcommonHSK 4, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #2850, Medium
公共gōnggòngcommunalHSK 4, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #2850, Medium
gōnggòng(gong1gong4)gong gong T1
  1. 1public
  2. 2common
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March 24, 2026

公共gōnggòng(gong1gong4)

The term '公共' (gōnggòng) refers to something that is public or common, often associated with shared resources or communal spaces. It is commonly used to describe facilities like parks, libraries, or transportation that are accessible to everyone, emphasizing the idea of collective use and benefit.

Strokes10Frequency#2850DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

'公共' is often seen in signs indicating public transportation or facilities in China, reflecting the collectivist culture that values shared resources and community welfare, especially in urban areas.

Memory Tip

Think of '公共' as representing a 'common gong' that everyone can hear. The first character '公' (gōng) resembles a person with arms wide open, welcoming everyone, while '共' (gòng) suggests sharing together, like a community gathered around a shared purpose.

Meanings of 公共

gōnggòng(gong1gong4)
1public
2common
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About 公共

公共Simplified
10Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3YCTL4HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 公共

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Podcast: 公共

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AI Study Notes for 公共

Quick Contrast

公共 (gōnggòng) vs 共同 (gòngtóng) — use 公共 for public/shared spaces, while 共同 emphasizes joint/shared efforts or actions.

Usage Notes

When using '公共', be mindful of the context it is in, as it can imply both public spaces and shared responsibilities. A common mistake is to confuse it with '私人' (sīrén, private), which has the opposite meaning. Ensure you use the correct tones: '公共' must be pronounced 'gōnggòng' with the proper high and falling tones.

HSK Study Tips

Although '公共' may not be explicitly listed in HSK vocabulary, it connects well with HSK Level 3 themes like community and transportation. Focus on using it in sentences related to public services or communal activities to reinforce its practical application.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly use '公共' in contexts where '私人' is appropriate, such as saying '公共办公室' (public office) instead of '私人办公室' (private office). Always check if the context requires a public or private connotation.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 公共

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Component Characters

公gōngpublic
HSK 64 strokes八
View full entry
共gòngcommon
HSK 46 strokes八
View full entry

How to say public in Chinese

“public” in Chinese is公共gōnggòng

The term '公共' (gōnggòng) refers to something that is public or common, often associated with shared resources or communal spaces. It is commonly used to describe facilities like parks, libraries, or transportation that are accessible to everyone, emphasizing the idea of collective use and benefit.

When to use 公共

When using '公共', be mindful of the context it is in, as it can imply both public spaces and shared responsibilities. A common mistake is to confuse it with '私人' (sīrén, private), which has the opposite meaning. Ensure you use the correct tones: '公共' must be pronounced 'gōnggòng' with the proper high and falling tones.

公共 or something close to it

公共 (gōnggòng) vs 共同 (gòngtóng) — use 公共 for public/shared spaces, while 共同 emphasizes joint/shared efforts or actions.

What learners get wrong

Learners may mistakenly use '公共' in contexts where '私人' is appropriate, such as saying '公共办公室' (public office) instead of '私人办公室' (private office). Always check if the context requires a public or private connotation.

Write 公共

公
共

Practice writing 公共 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 公共

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the concept of public spaces can often be more privatized, whereas in China, there is a stronger emphasis on communal ownership and responsibility for public areas.

Frequently Asked Questions about 公共

'公共交通' (gōnggòng jiāotōng) means public transportation.

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