Japanese word

公立

Pronunciation

Romajikōritsu

Meaning

  • nounpublic

Example

この高校は公立です。ko no kō kō wa kō ritsu de su

This high school is a public school.

Illustration for 公立 (public)

More examples

この町には公立の図書館が三つあります。ko no machi ni wa kō ritsu no to sho kan ga mit tsu a ri ma su

There are three public libraries in this town.

Core concept

The term describes a school or institution established and run by a government body rather than a private organization.

Common phrases

  • 公立学校kō ritsu gak kō

    public school

  • 公立高校kō ritsu kō kō

    public high school

  • 公立大学kō ritsu dai gaku

    public university

Similar words

国立kokuritsu: A school or institution established and operated by the national government.
公営kōei: A facility, service, or business operated by a public authority.

Definition in Japanese

国や地方自治体が設置し、運営する学校や施設。kuni ya chi hō ji chi tai ga set chi shi un ei su ru gak kō ya shi setsu

Word origin

公立 (kōritsu) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 公 (kō, "public") and 立 (ritsu, "stand or establish"), expressing an institution established under public authority.

Usage tips

  • In American English, a public school is usually government-funded and government-run, while in British English public school traditionally means a fee-paying independent school.

Opposites

Word lists with this word