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公事 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
公事gōngshìpublic affairsHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #6030, Very Hard
公事gōngshìofficial (matters, duties etc)HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #6030, Very Hard
gōngshì(gong1shi4)gong shi T1
  1. 1public affairs
  2. 2official (matters, duties etc)
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March 24, 2026

公事gōngshì(gong1shi4)

公事 (gōngshì) refers to official matters or public affairs that are related to governance, administration, or duties performed in a professional context. It commonly appears in formal settings, such as government, business, or legal discussions, emphasizing the importance of duties that serve the public or organization.

Strokes12Frequency#6030DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of public affairs is deeply embedded in the values of collectivism and community service, reflecting the importance of duty and responsibility to society.

Memory tip

Think of 公 (gōng) as 'public' or 'common,' and 事 (shì) as 'matter' or 'affair.' Imagine a public servant holding a large document labeled '公事,' reminding you that they are dealing with important official matters.

Meanings of 公事

gōngshì(gong1shi4)
1public affairs
2official (matters, duties etc)
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About 公事

公事Simplified
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

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Podcast: 公事

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AI study notes for 公事

Quick Contrast

公务 (gōngwù) refers specifically to official duties or tasks, while 公事 (gōngshì) encompasses broader official matters and public affairs.

Usage Notes

公事 is typically used in formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations. A common mistake is confusing it with 私事 (sīshì), which means private matters. Pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing either character can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

公事 is relevant for HSK Level 4 learners, connecting to other vocabulary related to work and responsibilities. Focus on understanding the context in which it is used, especially in official documents and formal communication.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 公事 with 事情 (shìqíng), which means 'things' or 'matters' in a more general sense. Remember, 公事 is specifically about official or public matters, while 事情 can refer to anything.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 公事

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Component characters

公gōngpublic
HSK 64 strokes八
View full entry
事shìmatter
HSK 18 strokes亅
View full entry

How to say public affairs in Chinese

“public affairs” in Chinese is公事gōngshì

公事 (gōngshì) refers to official matters or public affairs that are related to governance, administration, or duties performed in a professional context. It commonly appears in formal settings, such as government, business, or legal discussions, emphasizing the importance of duties that serve the public or organization.

When to use 公事

公事 is typically used in formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations. A common mistake is confusing it with 私事 (sīshì), which means private matters. Pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing either character can change the meaning.

公事 or something close to it

公务 (gōngwù) refers specifically to official duties or tasks, while 公事 (gōngshì) encompasses broader official matters and public affairs.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 公事 with 事情 (shìqíng), which means 'things' or 'matters' in a more general sense. Remember, 公事 is specifically about official or public matters, while 事情 can refer to anything.

Write 公事

公
事

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Frequently asked questions about 公事

公事 refers to official or public matters, while 私事 pertains to personal or private affairs.

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