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公立 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
公立gōnglìpublic (e.g. school, hospital)HSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #9000, Very Hard
gōnglì(gong1li4)gong li T1
  1. 1public (e.g. school, hospital)
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March 24, 2026

公立gōnglì(gong1li4)

公立 refers to institutions that are publicly funded and operated, such as public schools and hospitals. These entities are accessible to the general public and are typically maintained by government resources, highlighting their role in providing services to all citizens.

Strokes9Frequency#9000DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In China, 公立 institutions are crucial for equitable access to education and healthcare, reflecting the government's commitment to public welfare. The distinction between 公立 and 私立 highlights ongoing discussions about quality and accessibility in these sectors.

Memory tip

Think of '公' (gōng), meaning 'public' or 'common', as a gathering place where everyone is welcome, and '立' (lì) as standing tall and proud. Imagine a public building with a big sign that says 'Public School' standing upright in the community, symbolizing unity and service.

Meanings of 公立

gōnglì(gong1li4)
1public (e.g. school, hospital)
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About 公立

公立Simplified
9Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 公立

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AI study notes for 公立

Quick Contrast

公立 (public) vs 私立 (private) — use 公立 for institutions funded by the government, while 私立 refers to privately funded entities.

Usage Notes

Be cautious about using 公立 in contexts where private institutions are involved; for example, '私立' (sīlì) means 'private.' This term is mostly used in formal contexts, especially when discussing education or healthcare systems.

HSK Study Tips

Although 公立 is not officially part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful for learners interested in discussing education and public services. Focus on recognizing it in reading materials about schools and hospitals to enhance comprehension.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 公立 with 私立 when discussing schools, mistakenly saying '这所学校是公立的,但其实是私立的' (This school is public, but in fact, it is private). The correct phrasing would clarify the actual type of institution.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 公立

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Component characters

公gōngpublic
HSK 64 strokes八
View full entry
立lìto stand
HSK 65 strokes立
View full entry

How to say public (e.g. school, hospital) in Chinese

“public (e.g. school, hospital)” in Chinese is公立gōnglì

公立 refers to institutions that are publicly funded and operated, such as public schools and hospitals. These entities are accessible to the general public and are typically maintained by government resources, highlighting their role in providing services to all citizens.

When to use 公立

Be cautious about using 公立 in contexts where private institutions are involved; for example, '私立' (sīlì) means 'private.' This term is mostly used in formal contexts, especially when discussing education or healthcare systems.

公立 or something close to it

公立 (public) vs 私立 (private) — use 公立 for institutions funded by the government, while 私立 refers to privately funded entities.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 公立 with 私立 when discussing schools, mistakenly saying '这所学校是公立的,但其实是私立的' (This school is public, but in fact, it is private). The correct phrasing would clarify the actual type of institution.

Write 公立

公
立

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Frequently asked questions about 公立

公立 refers to public institutions funded by the government, while 私立 refers to private institutions funded through tuition and donations.

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