Translation and Meaning of: 公立 - kouritsu
The Japanese word 公立 [こうりつ] is a common term in daily life in Japan, especially in contexts related to public institutions. If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the meaning and usage of this expression, this article will help you understand everything about it. Let's explore everything from the translation and writing to how it is perceived culturally in Japan.
In addition to unveiling the meaning of 公立, we will discuss its origin, practical usage examples, and even tips to memorize this word more easily. If you are looking for reliable information on Japanese , Suki Nihongo is the best online dictionary to clarify your doubts. Shall we begin?
Meaning and translation of 公立 [こうりつ]
The word 公立 is composed of the kanjis 公 (public) and 立 (establish), forming the meaning of "public" or "government-maintained". It is frequently used to describe institutions such as schools, hospitals, and parks that are managed by the State or local governments. In direct translation to Portuguese, it can be understood as "of public nature".
Unlike 私立[しりつ] (private), 公立 specifically refers to services and organizations funded with government resources. This distinction is important in Japan, where there is a clear separation between what is managed by the public sector and what belongs to the private initiative. If you've heard of 公立学校 (public school), for example, now you know exactly what this term represents.
Origin and use of 公立 in Japan
The origin of 公立 dates back to the Meiji period (1868-1912), when Japan underwent modernizing reforms and structured its system of public institutions. At that time, the government began to standardize to designate state services, and 公立 emerged as a clear way to differentiate what was maintained by the public authority.
Currently, this word is widely used in official documents, identification plaques, and in the daily life of the Japanese people. It appears in contexts such as 公立大学 (public university), 公立病院 (public hospital), and 公立図書館 (public library). Its frequency of use is high, especially in cities where public services are more numerous and accessible to the population.
Tips for memorizing 公立 and avoiding confusion
An efficient way to memorize 公立 is to associate the first kanji, 公, with the idea of "public." This same character appears in other words like 公園 (public park) and 公務員 (public servant). The second kanji, 立, is also present in such as 立派 (respectable) and 国立 (national). This breakdown helps to fix the meaning logically.
It is common for students to confuse 公立 with 市立 (municipal) or 国立 (national), as all refer to government institutions. The difference lies in the level of istration: 国立 is federal, 公立 can be state or regional, and 市立 is municipal. Paying attention to these details helps avoid mistakes when using the word correctly.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 公立 (Kōritsu) - Public school, an institution managed by the local government.
- 国立 (Kokuritsu) - National institution, directly managed by the central government.
- 県立 (Kenritsu) - Institution managed by the provincial government, situated between public and national.
Related words
Romaji: kouritsu
Kana: こうりつ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1
Translation / Meaning: public institution)
Meaning in English: public (institution)
Definition: Facilities such as schools and hospitals operated by national or local governments.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (公立) kouritsu
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (公立) kouritsu:
Example Sentences - (公立) kouritsu
See below some example sentences:
Watashi wa kōritsu daigaku ni kayotteimasu
I study at a public university.
I go to a public university.
- 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
- は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- 公立大学 - compound noun that means "public university"
- に - locative particle that indicates the place where the action takes place
- 通っています - verb that means "to attend" in the present continuous
Watashi no chichi wa kōritsu byōin no shokuin desu
My father is a team of public hospitals.
- 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
- の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
- 父 - noun that means "father"
- は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
- 公立 - adjective that means "public"
- 病院 - The noun that means "hospital" is "hospital" in English.
- の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
- 職員 - noun that means "employee"
- です - verb that indicates to be or to stay, in the present tense and formal
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
