Meanings of 公民
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Podcast: 公民
Podcast: 公民
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AI Study Notes for 公民
公民 (gōngmín) vs 居民 (jūmín) — choose 公民 when emphasizing legal citizenship and rights, while 居民 refers to residents regardless of citizenship status.
Be careful not to confuse 公民 with other terms like 居民 (resident), which refers to someone living in a place but not necessarily a citizen. This term is typically used in formal contexts, such as legal discussions or governmental matters.
As an HSK 6 word, 公民 connects to themes of society, law, and governance. Students should focus on its usage in political discourse and compare it with related terms like 国家 (country) and 法律 (law).
Learners often mistakenly use 公民 interchangeably with 人 (person), which is incorrect. For example, saying '我是一公民' instead of '我是一名公民' is inaccurate; the correct form specifies the article '名' to indicate a citizen.
Pronunciation of 公民
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Jason Explains 公民 to You
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Component Characters
How to say citizen in Chinese
“citizen” in Chinese is公民
公民 refers to a member of a state or nation, possessing rights and responsibilities as defined by law. This term is commonly used in discussions about citizenship, civic duties, and legal rights within a political context.
When to use 公民
Be careful not to confuse 公民 with other terms like 居民 (resident), which refers to someone living in a place but not necessarily a citizen. This term is typically used in formal contexts, such as legal discussions or governmental matters.
公民 or something close to it
公民 (gōngmín) vs 居民 (jūmín) — choose 公民 when emphasizing legal citizenship and rights, while 居民 refers to residents regardless of citizenship status.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 公民 interchangeably with 人 (person), which is incorrect. For example, saying '我是一公民' instead of '我是一名公民' is inaccurate; the correct form specifies the article '名' to indicate a citizen.
Write 公民
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Practice writing 公民 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 公民
公民 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). 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.
凡年龄满十八岁的____都有选举与被选举的权利。
All citizens who have reached the age of eighteen have the right to vote and to be elected.
Example Sentences for 公民 (7)
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Cultural Notes for 公民
The concept of citizenship in China may emphasize collective duties to the state more than individual rights compared to many Western cultures, where personal freedoms often take precedence.
Frequently Asked Questions about 公民
公民 specifically refers to a citizen with legal rights and responsibilities, while 居民 refers to anyone living in a place, regardless of citizenship.
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