170
公
Public, Official
おおやけ (ooyake)
JLPT N4
Interesting Fact
The old explanation of 公 is surprisingly direct. 公 was formed from 八, interpreted here as "turning away/separating," and 厶, an old form associated with "private." Together, the character expressed the opposite of private—something belonging to the public. So the modern contrast 公 (public) ↔ 私 (private) is not just a convenient vocabulary pairing; it is built into the traditional explanation of the character itself.
Memory Trick
🏛️ A public building opens its doors to everyone—no private entrance, just 公.
Readings
Onyomi: コウ (kou)
Kunyomi: おおやけ (ooyake)
Example Words
公園
こうえん (kouen)
Park
公共
こうきょう (koukyou)
Public
公立
こうりつ (kouritsu)
Publicly funded
主人公
しゅじんこう (shujinkou)
Main character
Example Sentence
子どもたちは 公園で 遊んでいます。
こどもたちは こうえんで あそんでいます。
kodomotachi wa kouen de asondeimasu
The children are playing in the park.