Meaning and Usage
"公用" refers to things used for official or public purposes, such as government business or company affairs. It often appears in contexts involving official vehicles, documents, or expenses.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "公用" in formal or business settings, especially when distinguishing between personal and official use. For example, "公用車" means an official or company car, and "公用文書" means official documents.
Collocations and Patterns
- 公用車 (こうようしゃ): official vehicle, used for business trips or company duties.
- 公用文書 (こうようぶんしょ): official documents, important papers managed by an organization.
- 公用で使う (こうようでつかう): to use something for official purposes.
Register and Nuance
"公用" is a formal term and is rarely used in casual conversation. It implies that the item or expense is related to official duties and often involves public or company resources.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "公用" with "公共" (public, communal). "公用" specifically refers to official or business use, while "公共" relates to public facilities or services accessible to everyone. Remember, "公用" is about official use, not general public use.