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March 24, 2026
公元gōngyuán(gong1yuan2)
公元 refers to the Common Era, which is a system of numbering years used in much of the world to denote years after the birth of Jesus Christ. It is often used in historical contexts to indicate the timeline of events, particularly in relation to Western history.
Frequency#16180DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the use of 公元 reflects the significant influence of Western history and Christianity on modern Chinese society, especially in academic and formal contexts.
Memory Tip
Think of 公 (gōng) as 'public' or 'common', which aligns with 'Common Era', while 元 (yuán) resembles a coin, symbolizing the value of time being measured in years. Together, they depict a universally recognized way of counting time.
Meanings of 公元
gōngyuán(gong1yuan2)
1CE (Common Era)
2Christian Era
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About 公元
公元Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#16180Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 公元
Podcast: 公元
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AI Study Notes for 公元
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 公 (gōng) as 'public' or 'common', which aligns with 'Common Era', while 元 (yuán) resembles a coin, symbolizing the value of time being measured in years. Together, they depict a universally recognized way of counting time.
Usage Notes
公元 is typically used in formal writing and historical discussions. A common mistake is to say '公元前' (gōng yuán qián) to mean BCE, as it may confuse learners; instead, remember to use '公元前' (gōng yuán qián) for 'Before Common Era'.
HSK Study Tips
As a HSK 5 word, 公元 connects with other historical terms and dates you may learn, such as 世纪 (shìjì, century) or 年代 (niándài, era). Focus on understanding its usage in context, especially in historical texts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the use of 公元 reflects the significant influence of Western history and Christianity on modern Chinese society, especially in academic and formal contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the use of 公元 with other dating systems, such as mistakenly saying '公元前' when referring to a date in the Common Era. Ensure you understand the context clearly to avoid this error.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 公元
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Grammar Patterns of 公元
公元 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 3 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.
Such concessions are known from the second millennium B.C.
Cultural Notes for 公元
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the use of 公元 reflects the significant influence of Western history and Christianity on modern Chinese society, especially in academic and formal contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions about 公元
No, 公元 is primarily used in formal contexts, such as history books or academic discussions.
You would say 公元前 (gōng yuán qián) to indicate years before the Common Era.
公元 specifically refers to the Common Era, so for dates before Christ, use 公元前.
