Definition
公立 (gōnglì) specifically refers to institutions (schools, hospitals) run by the government — contrast with 公共 (gōnggòng 'public, communal'), which describes things shared by the public (e.g. transport, parks). Its opposite is 私立 (sīlì 'private').
adjective
public (of institutions such as schools, hospitals, libraries)
Easily confused
- 公里gōng lǐsound-alikekilometer
- 功力gōng lìsound-alikeefficacy; effectiveness (of a medicine, method, or practice)
- 功利gōng lìsound-alike(philosophy) utility
Examples
- 公立？Zhè suǒ dàxué shì gōng lì de háishì sīlì de?Is this university public or private?
- 公立。gōng lì yīyuàn de shōufèi bǐ sīlì yīyuàn dī.The fees at public hospitals are lower than at private hospitals.
- 公立。Wǒ nǚ'ér zài fùjìn de yì suǒ gōng lì xiǎoxué shàngxué.My daughter goes to a public elementary school nearby.
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