公共
こうきょう · koukyou · JLPT N2 · na-adj
public
🚌 公 (public) + 共 (shared) = 公共: owned and shared by everyone
公 means public or official, and 共 means together or shared. Together, 公共 covers things that belong to and serve everyone, such as public buses, parks, and libraries.
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.'