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March 24, 2026
公司gōngsī(gong1si1)
The term '公司' (gōngsī) refers to a business entity or organization that is formed to conduct commercial activities. It is commonly used to describe various types of companies, including corporations and firms. In everyday conversation, it is often used when discussing employment or business dealings.
Frequency#355DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
'公司' reflects China's rapid economic development, with many new companies emerging in the last few decades. Understanding this term is essential for anyone looking to engage in business or professional settings in China.
Memory Tip
Imagine a group of people (the '公司') standing together in a circle, each contributing a piece of a puzzle to form a complete picture of a successful business. The two characters combine to show collaboration: '公' (public) represents shared goals, while '司' (to manage) signifies the management of these goals.
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AI Study Notes for 公司
Quick Contrast
企业 (qǐyè) vs 公司 (gōngsī): Use 企业 when referring to the broader concept of an enterprise or business organization, while 公司 specifically denotes a company, often implying a registered entity.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a group of people (the '公司') standing together in a circle, each contributing a piece of a puzzle to form a complete picture of a successful business. The two characters combine to show collaboration: '公' (public) represents shared goals, while '司' (to manage) signifies the management of these goals.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse '公司' with similar terms like '企业' (qǐyè), which refers more broadly to any enterprise. The term '公司' is more specific to business contexts, so use it in professional discussions. Note that the tone of '公司' can lead to misunderstandings if mispronounced.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, '公司' connects to other vocabulary related to work and business, such as '工作' (gōngzuò - work) and '老板' (lǎobǎn - boss). Focus on using it in simple sentences to describe your job or your employer.
Cultural Note
'公司' reflects China's rapid economic development, with many new companies emerging in the last few decades. Understanding this term is essential for anyone looking to engage in business or professional settings in China.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use '公司' when discussing non-business entities, such as schools or hospitals. For example, saying '我的学校是一个公司' (wǒ de xuéxiào shì yīgè gōngsī - My school is a company) is incorrect; instead, use '我的学校是一个机构' (wǒ de xuéxiào shì yīgè jīgòu - My school is an institution).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 公司
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Grammar Patterns of 公司
公司 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Who wants to buy a computer from a failing company?
8
该公司不得不为裁员支付4.72亿英镑的补偿款。
gāi gōng sī bù dé bù wéi cái yuán zhī fù4.72 4.72 yì yīng bàng de bǔ cháng。
The company has had to make redundancy payments of £472 million.
9
它的利润增长速度比一般公司快4倍。
tā de lì rùn zēng cháng sù dù bǐ yī bān gōng sī kuài4 4。
Its profits are rising four times faster than the average company.
10
类似劳埃德保险公司的那些丑闻令伦敦名声扫地。
lèi sì láo āi dé bǎo xiǎn gōng sī de nà xiē chǒu wén líng lún dūn míng shēng sǎo dì。
The City's reputation has been sullied by scandals like those at Lloyd's.
Cultural Notes for 公司
🏮Cultural insight
'公司' reflects China's rapid economic development, with many new companies emerging in the last few decades. Understanding this term is essential for anyone looking to engage in business or professional settings in China.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While 'company' in Western countries often implies a focus on profit, in China, the concept of '公司' can also include community and social responsibilities, reflecting a blend of business and societal values.
Frequently Asked Questions about 公司
You would say '我的公司' (wǒ de gōngsī).
Yes, '公司' can refer to various types of businesses, but it specifically implies a formal organization.
While '公司' specifically refers to a company, '企业' is a broader term that includes all types of enterprises.
