公
public, fair
At a glance · 公
Evolution of the glyph
Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.
甲骨文、金文从八（分）从厶（私），八分其私，会意无私、公正。隶楷作「公」。
What the sketch shows
Origins & notes
「公」本指公正无私，引申为公共、尊称。
Structure
会意字，从八从厶，平分无私即公。
At a glance
Pinyingōng
Radical八
Strokes4
UnicodeU+516C
Character type会意
Theme政事
Six languages, one character
Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.
English
public, fair
Public, fair, impartial; a duke.
Français
public, juste
Public, juste, impartial; un duc.
Español
público, justo
Público, justo, imparcial; un duque.
العربية
عام، عادل
عام أو عادل أو لقب نبيل.
Русский
общественный, справедливый
Общественный, справедливый; герцог.
Common words
- 公司gōng sīcompany
- 公gōngpublic