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公务 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
公务gōngwùofficial businessHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, rank #9397, Very Hard
gōngwù(gong1wu4)gong wu T1
  1. 1official business
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March 24, 2026

公务(公務)gōngwù(gong1wu4)

公务 refers to official business or work related to government or administrative tasks. It is commonly used in contexts where formal duties are performed, such as in government offices or during official events. The term embodies the idea of responsibilities that are not personal but serve the public or organizational interests.

Strokes9Frequency#9397DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 公务 is closely linked to the Confucian value of serving society and the importance placed on duty and responsibility in government roles. Public officials are expected to prioritize public interests over personal ones.

Memory Tip

Think of 公 (gōng) as 'public' and 务 (wù) as 'affairs' or 'business'. Imagine a public servant dressed in a formal suit, busy with papers and meetings, representing the community. The pronunciation 'gong1 wu4' sounds like 'gone woo', as in 'official duties are 'gone' when you focus on them, allowing you to impress others with your 'woo' of professionalism.

Meanings of 公务

gōngwù(gong1wu4)
1official business
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 公务

公务Simplified
公務Traditional
9Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#9397Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 公务

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Podcast: 公务

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AI Study Notes for 公务

Quick Contrast

公务 (official business) vs 事务 (affairs) — choose 公务 when specifically referring to government-related tasks, while 事务 encompasses a broader range of affairs.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include using this term in informal settings where casual language is more appropriate. Be mindful of the tone: 公务 (gōng wù) is a formal term, so avoid using it in everyday conversations. It often collocates with words like '出差' (business trip) and '会议' (meeting).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 vocabulary word, 公务 connects with other advanced terms related to government and business. Students should focus on its usage in formal settings and recognize its role in discussions about policy, administration, and public service.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 公务 with 业务 (yè wù), which means business in a commercial context. For example, saying '我做公务' (I do business) instead of '我做业务' (I do business work) can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 公务

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Component Characters

公gōngpublic
HSK 64 strokes八
View full entry
务wùaffair
HSK 45 strokes夂
View full entry

How to say official business in Chinese

“official business” in Chinese is公务gōngwù

公务 refers to official business or work related to government or administrative tasks. It is commonly used in contexts where formal duties are performed, such as in government offices or during official events. The term embodies the idea of responsibilities that are not personal but serve the public or organizational interests.

When to use 公务

Common mistakes include using this term in informal settings where casual language is more appropriate. Be mindful of the tone: 公务 (gōng wù) is a formal term, so avoid using it in everyday conversations. It often collocates with words like '出差' (business trip) and '会议' (meeting).

公务 or something close to it

公务 (official business) vs 事务 (affairs) — choose 公务 when specifically referring to government-related tasks, while 事务 encompasses a broader range of affairs.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 公务 with 业务 (yè wù), which means business in a commercial context. For example, saying '我做公务' (I do business) instead of '我做业务' (I do business work) can lead to misunderstandings.

Write 公务

公
务

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

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Grammar Patterns of 公务

公务 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他对工作的执着令人敬佩。甚至于在住院期间,他都坚持用手机处理____。

His dedication to work is admirable. So much so that even during his hospital stay, he insisted on handling work matters on his phone.

Example Sentences for 公务 (4)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
当公务员有什么地方让人这么丢脸?

dāng gōng wù yuán yǒu shí mó dì fāng ràng rén zhè mó diū liǎn?

What is so compromising about being an employee of the state?
2
他们从上层文职部门清除了上千名公务员。

tā mén cóng shàng céng wén zhí bù mén qīng chú le shàng qiān míng gōng wù yuán。

They have purged thousands from the upper levels of the civil service.
3
公务机 956: 是不是你说的向东飞行的飞机?

gōng wù jī956: 956: shì bù shì nǐ shuō de xiàng dōng fēi háng de fēi?

Executive 956 : Is that aircraft you " re talking about eastbound? "
4
10万联邦公务人员将被辞退以减少赤字。

10 10 wàn lián bāng gōng wù rén yuán jiāng bèi cí tuì yǐ jiǎn shǎo chì。

100,000 federal workers will be laid off to reduce the deficit.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 公务

No, 公务 is a formal term and should be used in professional or official contexts.

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