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:

私は毎日通り過ぎる公園が大好きです。

Watashi wa mainichi toorisugiru kouen ga daisuki desu

I love the park that I pass every day.

I love the park that passes every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 通り過ぎる (toorisugiru) - verb meaning "to pass by"
• 公園 (kouen) - noun that means "park"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "park"
• 大好き (daisuki) - adjective meaning "very loved"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the sentence

私は毎朝公園で走る。

Watashi wa maiasa kōen de hashiru

I run every morning in the park.

I run in the park every morning.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎朝 (maiasa) - adverb meaning "every morning"
• 公園 (kouen) - noun that means "park"
• で (de) - particle indicating the place where the action takes place, in this case, "in the park"
• 走る (hashiru) - verb meaning "to run"

私は公園でピクニックをするのが好きです。

Watashi wa kōen de pikunikku o suru no ga suki desu

I like to make picnic in the park.

I like picnics in the park.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 公園 (kouen) - means "park" in Japanese
• で (de) - location particle in Japanese, used to indicate where something happens
• ピクニック (pikunikku) - Japanese word for "picnic"
• を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the sentence
• する (suru) - Japanese verb meaning "to do"
• のが (noga) - Japanese particle indicating that the phrase is an expression of preference
• 好き (suki) - Japanese adjective meaning "to like"
• です (desu) - linking verb in Japanese, used to indicate the formality of the sentence

私は毎日通りかかる公園が大好きです。

Watashi wa mainichi toorikakaru kouen ga daisuki desu

I love the park that I pass every day.

I love the parks that go every day.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun meaning "I".
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I".
• 毎日 - Japanese adverb meaning "every day".
• 通りかかる - Japanese verb meaning "to pass by".
• 公園 - Japanese noun meaning "park".
• が - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "park".
• 大好き - Japanese adjective meaning "much loved" or "adored."
• です - Japanese linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence, in this case, "is".

私は公立大学に通っています。

Watashi wa kōritsu daigaku ni kayotteimasu

I study at a public university.

I go to a public university.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 公立大学 - compound noun that means "public university"
• に - locative particle that indicates the place where the action takes place
• 通っています - verb that means "to attend" in the present continuous

私の父は公立病院の職員です。

Watashi no chichi wa kōritsu byōin no shokuin desu

My father is a team of public hospitals.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 父 - noun that means "father"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 公立 - adjective that means "public"
• 病院 - The noun that means "hospital" is "hospital" in English.
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 職員 - noun that means "employee"
• です - verb that indicates to be or to stay, in the present tense and formal

私たちの家は公園に面しています。

Watashitachi no ie wa kōen ni menshite imasu

Our house faces the park.

Our house faces the park.

• 私たちの - 私たち
• 家 - "house" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 公園 - "parque" in Japanese
• に - Location particle in Japanese
• 面しています - "facing" in Japanese

私たちは公平な取り分を受け取りました。

Watashitachi wa kōhei na toribun o uketorimashita

We received a fair division.

We received a fair part.

• 私たちは - 私たち
• 公平な - fair or "equitable" in Japanese
• 取り分を - part or "participation" in Japanese
• 受け取りました - we received in Japanese

私の家の近くには美しい公園があります。

Watashi no ie no chikaku ni wa utsukushii en ga arimasu

There is a beautiful park near my house.

There is a beautiful park near my house.

• 私の家の近くには - "Near my house"
• 美しい - "bonito"
• 公園があります - "There is a park"