Meaning and Usage
"公園" (こうえん) means "park" in Japanese and refers to a public outdoor space where people can relax, play, or exercise. It is a common noun used in everyday conversation.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "公園" when talking about places to meet friends, exercise, or take children to play. It is frequently used with verbs like 遊ぶ (あそぶ, to play), 散歩する (さんぽする, to take a walk), and 集まる (あつまる, to gather).
Collocations and Patterns
- 公園で遊ぶ: to play in the park, often used when talking about children or leisure activities.
- 公園を散歩する: to take a walk in the park, common for daily routines or exercise.
- 公園のベンチ: benches in the park, referring to park facilities.
Register and Nuance
"公園" is a neutral, everyday word suitable for all levels of formality. It is used in casual and polite speech alike.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "公園" with "庭" (にわ, garden) or "広場" (ひろば, plaza). Remember, "公園" specifically means a public park, usually larger and outdoors, while "庭" is a private garden and "広場" is an open square or plaza.