What does 公 really mean?

[Christa]

Hey guys,

 

Any thoughts: what does 公 really mean?

 

I mean, it kind of means "public" but it's used for people who are male. Is there some link between the two meanings? For instance, that male people were the people who went out in public in the past? The non-home person?

 

Could this be the logic?

 

Or is there simply no relationship between the two meanings?

 

Would love to hear your thoughts...

 

Christa

[OneEye]

You're close.

 

Public -> public official -> older male relative

 

If only there were some sort of resource that would show you the relationship between a character's different meanings.  

 

(Full disclosure: see signature)

[Christa]

1 hour ago, OneEye said:

 

Public -> public official -> older male relative

 

You get a gold star, thank you!

[abcdefg]

Often used for animals, as in:

公鸡 = rooster

母鸡 = hen

 

Recipes will often specify which bird is best for the specific application. Chicken soup recipes often call for a 老母鸡, an old fatty laying hen with tender, juicy meat. They usually cost a little more than a smaller and younger bird.

 

If a young chicken is needed, it is often listed as 仔鸡, regardless of gender.