Chinese word

公共

Pronunciation

Pinyingōng gòng

Meaning

  • adjectivepublic

Example

公共交通很方便，你可以坐地铁。gōng gòng jiāo tōng hěn fāng biàn nǐ ké yǐ zuò dì tiě

Public transportation is very convenient, and you can take the subway.

Illustration for 公共 (public)

More examples

政府应该改善公共服务，让大家生活更方便。zhèng fǔ yīng gāi gǎi shàn gōng gòng fú wù ràng dà jiā shēng huó gèng fāng biàn

The government should improve public services so that life is more convenient for everyone.

Core concept

A resource, place, or system held open for the wider community rather than reserved for private use.

Common phrases

  • 公共服务gōng gòng fú wù

    public services

  • 公共汽车gōng gòng qì chē

    bus

Similar words

私人sī rén: Describes something owned or used privately by an individual or household.
公用gōng yòng: Describes equipment, facilities, or other things used for official duties.

Definition in Chinese

指向社会大多数、为大众共同使用或享受的性质或事物，作为形容词用于名词前，也可构成如「公共交通」「公共服务」等短语。zhǐ xiàng shè huì dà duō shù wèi dà zhòng gòng tóng shǐ yòng huò xiǎng shòu de xìng zhì huò shì wù zuò wéi xíng róng cí yòng yú míng cí qián yě kě gòu chéng rú gōng gòng jiāo tōng gōng gòng fú wù děng duán yǔ

Word origin

公共 (gōnggòng, "public") combines 公 (gōng, "public") with 共 (gòng, "shared"), linking the public sphere to something people use together.

Usage tips

  • This broad, formal-sounding word is common in notices and general descriptions, while everyday speech often names the particular place or service instead.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word