public, prince, official, governmental
公 centers on what is open and shared by a group rather than private: public affairs, official roles, and governmental authority. The prince sense is a specific historical application of a high-ranking public figure.
公 is traditionally explained as 八 (division) and 厶 (private), suggesting opening up what is private to make it public. This component analysis is widely accepted.
The top 八 looks like dividing lines, and the bottom 厶 resembles a private enclosure. Together they show something private being opened up and divided among everyone: that is public.
For コウ, imagine a public announcement made by a loud gong: gong -> コウ, and the sound spreads openly to everyone.
opening to the public; making available to the public; exhibiting; unveiling; release (of a film, information, etc.); disclosure; publication
official; formal
public performance
(public) park
protagonist; main character; hero; heroine
official; governmental; formal
public (facilities, service, etc.); communal
official announcement; proclamation
public employee; government employee; public-sector worker; public servant; civil servant
official recognition; official approval; certification; authorization; authorisation
fairness; impartiality; justice; objectivity
justice; fairness; impartiality
public; official
the public; general public
public (institution)
private; non-public; secret; closed-door; closed
Komeito (Japanese political party)
public peace; public safety; public security; peace and order
informal; unofficial
public interest; public benefit; public good
declaration; profession
public appeal (e.g. for contributions); public advertisement (of a post); open recruitment
unfairness; injustice; partiality
official document; archives
public commitment; public promise; campaign pledge; official vow
public management
open; public; official; overt
official business; public business
public hall; community center; community centre
pollution; public nuisance; contamination
prince; duke
public hearing; trial
public office
company (in China); firm
public announcement; official notice; edict
fairness; openness; impartiality
official business; government business; public business; company duties
citizen
public corporation
live-in domestic service; live-in apprenticeship
government and municipal offices; public agencies
public character
public and private matters; official and personal affairs; professional and personal lives
town hall; public hall
official proclamation; announcement; promulgation (e.g. of regulations)
young nobleman
official bulletin; communique
public expense; public funds; public money; public expenditure
official document; archives
official residence
public corporation
public order and morals; social standards; public policy
public election; election by popular vote
public funds
public (institution)
finance corporation
high seas; international waters
public announcement; official statement; official claim
public ownership
probability; likelihood
public opinion; unbiased criticism; unbiassed criticism
official residence
envoy; diplomat below the rank of ambassador (e.g. deputy chief of mission, charge d'affaires); minister (of legation)
public debt; public bond; government securities
(public) prosecution; indictment; accusation
official (rate, price, etc.); officially fixed
public broadcasting (e.g. NHK, BBC)
public utilities charge
public safety commission
official discount (bank) rate
official website
official match; regular game; regular-season game; formal match
civil rights; franchise; citizenship
public-service corporation; charitable corporation
public bonds
public hearing
official residence
public health; public hygiene; sanitation
public telephone; pay phone
certified public accountant
now available (e.g. for sale); now showing (e.g. film, exhibition)
(national) government official; national public servant; national government employee
diplomatic mission; overseas diplomatic establishment
local public body; local government
local government employee; local civil servant
nature park; natural park