公こう

noun

public; official; governmental

Refers to the public sphere, government, or state affairs, often contrasted with 私 (private). Used in formal and official contexts.

See also: 私

• 公おおやけの場ばで発はつ言げんするのは緊きん張ちょうする。

  Speaking in a public setting makes me nervous.

• この問もん題だいは公おおやけにすべきではない。

  This issue should not be made public.

noun, noun, used as a suffix

duke; prince

Historical title for high-ranking nobility, equivalent to duke or prince. Used in historical or fantasy contexts.

• 彼かれは公こう爵しゃくの位くらいを授さずかった。

  He was granted the title of duke.

• 物もの語がたりには公こうと呼よばれる貴き族ぞくが登とう場じょうする。

  A noble called a duke appears in the story.

suffix

Sir; Lord

Honorific suffix attached after the name of a high-ranking person, similar to 'Sir' or 'Lord'. Archaic or highly formal.

• 山やま田だ公こうはこの地ちを治おさめていた。

  Lord Yamada ruled this land.

suffix

familiar or derogatory suffix

Suffix attached after a person, animal, etc., to express familiarity or mild derogation. Rare and somewhat old-fashioned.

• 昔むかしの小しょう説せつでは、犬いぬ公こうなどと呼よぶ表ひょう現げんが見みられる。

  In old novels, you can see expressions like calling a dog 'inu-kō'.