Translation and Meaning of: 公 - ooyake

The Japanese word 公[おおやけ] is a fascinating term that carries deep meanings and varied uses in everyday life in Japan. If you are looking to better understand its meaning, origin, or how it is applied in sentences, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will explore everything from etymology to practical examples, all so that you can master this vocabulary naturally. Here at Suki Nihongo, our goal is to provide clear and useful explanations for students and curious learners of the Japanese language.

Meaning and translation of 公[おおやけ]

The term 公[おおやけ] can be translated as "public" or "official," but its meaning goes beyond a simple equivalence. It is often used to refer to issues that involve the collective, as in "public matters" (公の事) or "common interest." This word also appears in formal contexts, indicating something recognized or authorized by an institution.

It's worth noting that おおやけ is not limited to just government or administration. In some cases, it can be used to describe situations where there is transparency or visibility, such as in "to make public" (公にする). This semantic flexibility makes it a valuable word for those who wish to express themselves accurately in Japanese.

Origin and use of the kanji 公

The kanji 公 has an interesting history. Originally, it represented the idea of "justice" or "impartiality" in ancient China, composed of the radicals 八 (which symbolizes division) and 厶 (which refers to the private). Over time, its meaning evolved to encompass the concept of "public," reflecting a notion of balance between the individual and the collective.

In Japan, this character has been incorporated into both legal terms and everyday life. For example, in words like 公園 (kouen – public park) or 公式 (koushiki – official), it can be seen how it maintains its essence linked to the common sphere. The pronunciation おおやけ, in turn, is a kun’yomi reading, more associated with everyday use than with Sino-Japanese combinations.

How to memorize and use 公[おおやけ]

An effective tip to memorize this word is to associate it with concrete situations. Think of places or actions that involve the public, such as a city hall (市役所) or an official ceremony. Repeating phrases like "これは公の場です" (This is a public place) also helps internalize its correct usage.

Another strategy is to observe the kanji 公 in frequent compositions. By learning vocabulary such as 公開 (koukai – disclosure) or 公民 (koumin – citizen), you reinforce not only the meaning but also the writing. Constant exposure to these terms, whether in texts or conversations, will make おおやけ increasingly familiar.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 官 (Kan) - Public servant; officer
• 政府 (Seifu) - Government
• 当局 (Toukyoku) - Authorities; competent authority
• 公的 (Kouteki) - Official; public
• 公共 (Koukyou) - Public; related to society
• 公立 (Kouritsu) - Public institutions; maintained by the government
• 公式 (Koushiki) - Official; formal
• 公開 (Koukai) - Promotion; public exhibition
• 公正 (Kousei) - Just; impartial
• 公衆 (Koushuu) - Public; society
• 公益 (Koueki) - Public interest; collective benefit
• 公務 (Koumu) - Public service; official duties
• 公用 (Kouyou) - Public use; intended for the community
• 公立学校 (Kouritsugakkou) - Public school; educational institution maintained by the government

公

Romaji: ooyake
Kana: おおやけ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: official; public; formal; open; governmental

Meaning in English: O kanji 公 (kou) significa "público" ou "oficial". Este kanji é composto pelos radicais 八(oito ou dividir) e 厶(privado ou pessoal), sugerindo algo que é compartilhado ou acessível a todos. A origem deste kanji está nas práticas de governança antigas, onde os assuntos públicos eram separados dos interesses privados. No Japão, 公 é usado para descrever entidades governamentais, espaços públicos e conceitos de justiça e equidade.

Definition: Public: Owned by the general public.

Example Sentences - (公) ooyake

See below some example sentences:

公園に行きたいです。

Kouen ni ikitai desu

I want to go to the park.

• 公園 (kouen) - park
• に (ni) - particle indicating where you want to go
• 行きたい (ikitai) - want to go
• です (desu) - polite way to end a sentence

公務は国民のために行われる重要な仕事です。

Koumu wa kokumin no tame ni okonawareru juuyou na shigoto desu

Public affairs are an important job for people.

• 公務 - public work
• は - Topic particle
• 国民 - citizens of the country
• のために - for the benefit of
• 行われる - completed
• 重要な - important
• 仕事 - work
• です - is

公正な判断をすることが重要です。

Kousei na handan wo suru koto ga juuyou desu

It is important to do fair judgments.

It is important to make a fair decision.

• 公正な - adjective meaning "fair" or "impartial"
• 判断 - noun meaning "judgment" or "decision"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• する - verb meaning "to do" or "to accomplish"
• こと - noun indicating an abstract action or event
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 重要 - Adjective meaning "important"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence
• . - punctuation mark that indicates the end of the sentence

公平な社会を目指しましょう。

Kouhei na shakai wo mezashimashou

Let's look for a fair society.

• 公平な - adjective meaning "fair" or "impartial"
• 社会 - noun meaning "society"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 目指しましょう - verb meaning "to seek" or "to aim for", conjugated in the polite imperative

公認された商品は信頼できる。

Kōnin sareta shōhin wa shinrai dekiru

Certified products are reliable.

• 公認された - officially recognized
• 商品 - product
• は - Topic particle
• 信頼できる - Reliable

公衆の場でマスクを着用することが大切です。

Koushuu no ba de masuku wo chakuyou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to wear a mask in public places.

It is important to wear a mask in public.

• 公衆の場 - public place
• で - particle that indicates the location where the action takes place
• マスク - Mask
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 着用する - use, wear
• こと - noun that indicates action or fact
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大切 - important
• です - verb to be in the polite form

国定公園は美しい自然がたくさんあります。

Kokutei kōen wa utsukushii shizen ga takusan arimasu

Kokutei National Park has a lot of beautiful nature.

Kokusai Park has a lot of beautiful nature.

• 国定公園 - National park
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - pretty
• 自然 - Nature
• が - Subject particle
• たくさん - Very
• あります - They exist

大きい犬が公園で走っている。

Ookii inu ga kouen de hashitte iru

A large dog is running in the park.

• 大きい - adjective meaning "big"
• 犬 - noun meaning "dog"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 公園 - noun that means "park"
• で - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 走っている - verb meaning "to be running" in the present tense and continuous form

審判は公正であるべきだ。

Shinpan wa kousei de aru beki da

The referee must be fair.

• 審判 - referee/judge
• は - Topic particle
• 公正 - justice/impartiality
• で - mode particle
• ある - verb "to be/estar" in the present tense
• べき - suffix that indicates obligation/ necessity
• だ - verb "to be" in the present (casual form)

私は公園で落ちていたゴミを拾いました。

Watashi wa kōen de ochite ita gomi o hiroimashita

I picked up the litter that was on the ground in the park.

I picked up the trash that had fallen in the park.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 公園 (kouen) - noun that means "park"
• で (de) - a grammatical particle that indicates the place where the action took place, in this case, "in the park"
• 落ちていた (ochiteita) - verb in the past continuous that means "was fallen"
• ゴミ (gomi) - The noun that means "garbage" is "lixo".
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "the trash"
• 拾いました (hiroi mashita) - The verb in the past that means "I took"