公共
gōnggòng · HSK 3
public
🏛️ 公 (public) + 共 (together) = public/common
公 means public or shared (think 公园 public park); 共 means together or shared (as in 共同 common). Stacked, 公共 doubles down on the sense of belonging to everyone — public transport, public spaces.
公 — eight 八 + private 厶
Originally an ideograph showing 八 (to divide) over 厶 (private/self), depicting the act of splitting away from selfish interest. The combination came to mean 'public' or 'fair,' the opposite of private. It later extended to senses like 'duke,' 'lord,' and 'grandfather.'
共 — 两手 (廾) holding up an object
共 originally depicted two hands raised together, lifting or offering something jointly. The ancient form showed a vessel or object held up by paired hands, conveying shared action. From 'lifting together' it shifted to mean 'together,' 'common,' or 'share.'