The Kanji: 公 (Kō / Ōyake)
The kanji 公 means "public," "official," or "fair." It combines 八 (divide) with 厶 (private), representing the distinction between private and communal matters. This character describes matters concerning the collective.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 公園 (kōen) - Public park
子供が公園で遊ぶ。
"Children play in the park."
2. 公開 (kōkai) - Public release
映画を公開する。
"Release a movie to the public."
3. 公平 (kōhei) - Fairness
審判は公平でなければならない。
"Referees must be fair."
4. 公務員 (kōmuin) - Public servant
兄は公務員です。
"My brother is a public servant."
In summary, 公 describes communal spaces (公園), open access (公開), impartiality (公平), and government service (公務員). It's essential for discussing societal matters in Japanese.