奉ほう公こう

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

live-in domestic service; live-in apprenticeship

Historical term for a system where a young person lived and worked in a master's household, often to learn a trade or serve. Now mainly used in historical or period contexts.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいには、多おおくの若わか者ものが商しょう家かに奉ほう公こうに出でた。

  In the Edo period, many young people went into live-in service at merchant houses.

• 彼かれは幼おさない頃ころから大だい工くの家いえに奉ほう公こうして技ぎ術じゅつを身みにつけた。

  From a young age, he lived and worked at a carpenter's house and acquired the skills.

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

public duty; public service

Refers to serving the public or the state, often with a sense of selfless dedication. Can be used in modern contexts for government or community service.

• 彼かれは生しょう涯がいを教きょう育いくに奉ほう公こうした。

  He devoted his life to public service in education.

• 公こう務む員いんとして奉ほう公こうの精せい神しんを持もつことが大たい切せつだ。

  As a public servant, it is important to have a spirit of public duty.