Understanding "公布" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 公布
• Pinyin: gōng bù
• Literal Meaning: to make public and spread / to announce openly
• Primary Meaning: to announce, publish, or make something known to the public, especially in an official or formal way

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage: 公布 is used when information is released openly so that many people can know it. It is common in official, institutional, or public settings: governments, companies, schools, media, and organizations. Typical objects include policies, results, lists, decisions, statistics, and reports. The tone is relatively formal and neutral. It focuses on the act of making information public, not on personal conversation. Compared with everyday verbs such as “tell” or “say,” 公布 implies a wider audience and a more official release. It is close to 宣布 (xuān bù, “to proclaim/announce”), but 公布 stresses public disclosure, while 宣布 can also describe a ceremonial or spoken proclamation.
• Character Breakdown:
• 公 (gōng): public, official, open, shared by all
• 布 (bù): to spread, distribute, or announce (in other contexts it can also mean “cloth”)
• Together, the characters suggest “spreading something to the public,” which matches the modern meaning of official announcement or publication.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 政府公布了新的环保政策。
• Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ gōngbù le xīn de huánbǎo zhèngcè.

• English: The government announced a new environmental protection policy.

• Chinese: 公司明天会公布年度财报。

• Pinyin: Gōngsī míngtiān huì gōngbù niándù cáibào.

• English: The company will release its annual financial report tomorrow.

• Chinese: 考试成绩已经在网上公布了。

• Pinyin: Kǎoshì chéngjì yǐjīng zài wǎngshàng gōngbù le.
• English: The exam results have already been published online.

Cultural Notes (if applicable)

In Chinese public life, 公布 often appears in notices, news headlines, and official statements. Seeing 公布 usually signals that information once held by an authority—such as a school, company, or government office—is now open to the public. Learners will frequently meet it with results, rankings, laws, and decisions. Because of this official flavor, it is less natural for casual personal news; for telling a friend something private, more everyday verbs are preferred.

Conclusion

公布 (gōng bù) means to announce or publish something publicly, especially in a formal setting. Remember it as “public + spread”: information is released so everyone can know it.

Sources and Further Reading

• MDBG Chinese Dictionary: 公布
• Wiktionary: 公布
• HSK vocabulary reference dataset

Dictionary links are provided for independent reference. Example sentences and learning notes on this page are educational explanations rather than dictionary quotations.