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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "public" with 公共 (gōnggòng)

    Description & Modification

    Structure

    公共 + Noun

    Explanation

    公共 (gōnggòng) means "public" and functions as an attributive adjective that modifies nouns to indicate something is shared by or accessible to the general public. It cannot be used as a predicate on its own and must directly precede a noun. Common collocations include 公共活动 (public event), 公共交通 (public transportation), and 公共场所 (public place).

    Examples

    • 请不要在公共场所大声说话。

      qǐng bú yào zài gōnggòng chǎngsuǒ dàshēng shuōhuà.

      Please do not speak loudly in public places.

    • 这个城市的公共交通非常方便。

      zhège chéngshì de gōnggòng jiāotōng fēicháng fāngbiàn.

      The public transportation in this city is very convenient.

    • 图书馆是重要的公共文化设施。

      túshūguǎn shì zhòngyào de gōnggòng wénhuà shèshī.

      Libraries are important public cultural facilities.