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March 24, 2026
公开(公開)gōngkāi(gong1kai1)
公开 (gōngkāi) means 'to make public' or 'to publish.' It is commonly used in contexts where information, opinions, or actions are disclosed for general knowledge, such as government announcements, public events, or sharing personal information. The term conveys a sense of transparency and accessibility.
Frequency#2465DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
公开 is often associated with the value of transparency in Chinese governance and society, reflecting a shift towards more open communication in recent years. Public forums and announcements are essential for fostering trust in institutions.
Memory Tip
Think of 公开 as a 'gong' announcing news to the public. The character '公' (gōng) looks like a person stepping outside to share, while '开' (kāi) resembles a door being opened, symbolizing the act of revealing information.
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AI Study Notes for 公开
Quick Contrast
公开 (gōngkāi) vs 宣布 (xuānbù) — choose 公开 when emphasizing the act of making information accessible to the public, rather than merely announcing it.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 公开 as a 'gong' announcing news to the public. The character '公' (gōng) looks like a person stepping outside to share, while '开' (kāi) resembles a door being opened, symbolizing the act of revealing information.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 公开 with other similar terms like 发布 (fābù), which means 'to release' but may not imply public disclosure. 公开 is more formal, so use it in official contexts rather than casual conversations. Common collocations include 公开课 (open class) and 公开信 (open letter).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 公开 connects with other terms related to communication and information sharing. Students should focus on its usage in formal contexts and practice constructing sentences that involve public announcements or disclosures.
Cultural Note
公开 is often associated with the value of transparency in Chinese governance and society, reflecting a shift towards more open communication in recent years. Public forums and announcements are essential for fostering trust in institutions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 公开 in informal settings, saying things like '我公开这个消息给朋友' (I publicly share this news with friends), which sounds overly formal. Instead, use a more casual phrase like '我告诉朋友这个消息' (I tell my friends this news).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 公开
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Grammar Patterns of 公开
公开 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. 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.
The whole issue was thoroughly aired at the meeting.
8
让人愤慨的是那些数字并未公开。
ràng rén fèn kǎi de shì nà xiē shù zì bìng wèi gōng kāi。
It is outrageous that the figures are not in the public domain.
9
他公开抨击了那些主张用不记名投票方式确定任命人选的人。
tā gōng kāi pēng jī le nà xiē zhǔ zhāng yòng bù jì míng tóu piào fāng shì què dìng rèn mìng rén xuǎn de rén。
He publicly attacked the people who've been calling for secret ballot nominations.
10
工会已经公开撤回了那项要求。
gōng huì yǐ jīng gōng kāi chè huí le nà xiàng yào qiú。
The union has publicly backed off that demand.
Cultural Notes for 公开
🏮Cultural insight
公开 is often associated with the value of transparency in Chinese governance and society, reflecting a shift towards more open communication in recent years. Public forums and announcements are essential for fostering trust in institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions about 公开
公开 refers to public information, while 私人 (sīrén) means private. They represent opposing concepts regarding accessibility.
It's best to reserve 公开 for formal contexts, as it sounds too stiff for casual conversations.
While 公开 generally has a neutral to positive connotation, context matters; it can also imply unwanted exposure.
