Word
Kana: こうきょう Romaji: koukyou Level: N2

公共

Meaning in English

public, community, communal

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Dictionary

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What it means

What does 公共 mean? It denotes things that belong to or are available to the general public, rather than private property or individuals, and is used to describe spaces, services, or concepts intended for communal use or welfare.

Main meanings

  • the general public as a social sphere or audience
  • public spaces, facilities, or services intended for collective use
  • the welfare or interests of society as a whole

How to use it

Used in formal and policy contexts; in everyday conversation it appears in compound phrases such as 公共の場, 公共施設, 公共交通機関, 公共の福祉; appropriate for civil discourse and official communication.

Variants and close terms

  • 公的 — public, official; kouteki
  • 公衆 — the public; koushuu
  • 私的 — private; shiteki
  • 共同の — common, shared; kyoudou no

Composition

  • 公: public, official; relates to openness and access for all
  • 共: together, shared; connotes common use

Word class

noun (名詞)

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