Meaning of 公认
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- publicly known (to be)
- accepted (as)
How to use 公认
公认 is often used in the pattern 被公认为 (bèi gōngrèn wéi), "is widely recognized as," or as a modifier like 公认的 (gōngrèn de). It sounds a bit formal and is common in news and writing. Example: 他是公认的好老师。(Tā shì gōngrèn de hǎo lǎoshī.) He is widely recognized as a good teacher.
公 (gōng) means public, as in 公平 (gōngpíng) fair, and 认 (rèn) means to recognize, as in 认识 (rènshi). Something 公认 is recognized by the public, so everyone agrees it is true.
Common mistake: Learners sometimes use 公认 for a personal opinion, but 认为 (rènwéi) is for what one person thinks, while 公认 means many people or society agree. Also keep 认 in the fourth tone, rèn, not rén like 人.
公认 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
公 gōng · public · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
认 rèn · to recognize · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Related words
Words that share a character with 公认.
| 认识 | rènshi | to know; to recognize |
| 认真 | rènzhēn | conscientious; earnest |
| 认为 | rènwéi | to believe; to think; to consider; to feel |
| 公司 | gōngsī | company; firm; corporation |
| 办公室 | bàngōngshì | office; business premises |
| 公平 | gōngpíng | fair; impartial |
| 公园 | gōngyuán | park (for public recreation) |
| 公里 | gōnglǐ | kilometer |
| 公路 | gōnglù | highway; road |
| 公斤 | gōngjīn | kilogram (kg) |
| 公交车 | gōngjiāochē | public transport vehicle; town bus |
| 公共汽车 | gōnggòng qìchē | bus |
Questions about 公认
What does 公认 mean?
公认 (gōngrèn) means "publicly known (to be); accepted (as)" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 公认?
公认 is made of 2 characters: 公 (4 strokes), 认 (4 strokes). That is 8 strokes in total.
Is 公认 an HSK word?
Yes. 公认 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 公认 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 公认 is written 公認.
What is the difference between 公认 and 承认?
公认 means generally accepted by most people. 承认 (chéngrèn) means to admit or acknowledge something, often a fact or a mistake, by a specific person or party.
Can 公认 be used as an adjective?
Yes, with 的 it describes a noun, as in 公认的事实 (gōngrèn de shìshí), an accepted fact. It also works as a verb, as in 大家公认他最聪明 (dàjiā gōngrèn tā zuì cōngming), everyone agrees he is the smartest.