公衆
こうしゅう · koushuu · JLPT N2 · noun
populace
👥 公 = public, common + 衆 = crowd, masses: together, the public
衆 also appears in 群衆 (crowd) and 大衆 (the masses), and 公 in 公園 (public park). Both parts point to people sharing common space.
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.'