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公用 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
公用gōngyòngpublicHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #23065, Very Hard
公用gōngyòngfor public useHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #23065, Very Hard
gōngyòng(gong1yong4)gong yong T1
  1. 1public
  2. 2for public use
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March 24, 2026

公用gōngyòng(gong1yong4)

公用 (gōngyòng) refers to something that is intended for public use or communal benefit. It is commonly used in contexts such as public facilities, shared resources, or services that are accessible to everyone.

Strokes9Frequency#23065DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, public spaces and resources are highly valued, reflecting the collectivist nature of society. The concept of 公用 is evident in the wide availability of public parks, libraries, and transportation systems across cities.

Memory tip

Think of 公 (gōng) as a 'public' square where everyone gathers, and 用 (yòng) as 'using' the space together. Imagine a group of people using a park (公用) for a picnic, emphasizing that it is for everyone.

Meanings of 公用

gōngyòng(gong1yong4)
1public
2for public use
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 公用

公用Simplified
9Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 公用

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Podcast: 公用

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AI study notes for 公用

Quick Contrast

公共 (gōnggòng) refers to something that is public in nature but emphasizes the aspect of being open to all, while 公用 (gōngyòng) focuses on the intended use for the public.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context; 公用 is often used in formal contexts such as government announcements or public information. A common mistake is to confuse it with 私用 (sīyòng), which means 'private use.' Additionally, ensure proper tone pronunciation, as mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 公用 is not specifically listed in HSK vocabulary, it is related to HSK level 3 words like 公 (public) and 用 (to use). Focus on these components to build a deeper understanding of compound words in Mandarin.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 公用 with 私用, mistakenly using 公用 to describe a private service. For example, saying '这个是公用的办公室' (This is a public office) when it is actually a private office would be incorrect; the correct term would be 私用的办公室.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 公用

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Component characters

公gōngpublic
HSK 64 strokes八
View full entry
用yòngto use
HSK 35 strokes用
View full entry

How to say public in Chinese

“public” in Chinese is公用gōngyòng

公用 (gōngyòng) refers to something that is intended for public use or communal benefit. It is commonly used in contexts such as public facilities, shared resources, or services that are accessible to everyone.

When to use 公用

Be mindful of the context; 公用 is often used in formal contexts such as government announcements or public information. A common mistake is to confuse it with 私用 (sīyòng), which means 'private use.' Additionally, ensure proper tone pronunciation, as mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning.

公用 or something close to it

公共 (gōnggòng) refers to something that is public in nature but emphasizes the aspect of being open to all, while 公用 (gōngyòng) focuses on the intended use for the public.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 公用 with 私用, mistakenly using 公用 to describe a private service. For example, saying '这个是公用的办公室' (This is a public office) when it is actually a private office would be incorrect; the correct term would be 私用的办公室.

Write 公用

公
用

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

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Frequently asked questions about 公用

公用设施包括公园、图书馆和公共交通。 (Public facilities include parks, libraries, and public transportation.)

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